ArmInfo.The Armenian Environmental Front (AEF) issued a statement in connection with the situation around the Amulsar field.
In particular, the statement notes that back in December 2018, the Prime Minister told the residents of Jermuk that the future of Amulsar would be decided based on the results of an international examination. "The RA Investigative Committee published the results of the examination of Elard in the summer of 2019, trying to present them with positive accents for Lydian Armenia," activists note, adding that this circumstance did not mislead the public. <On August 29, 2019, during a video conference, Elard experts once again confirmed that a new environmental assessment should be carried out on the Amulsar issue, since it is impossible to assess the real dangers with the existing documents, and everything was clearly indicated in their report, "the statement said.
"The RA government did not fulfill its promise and left the burden and responsibility for a fair solution of the problem on the shoulders of Jermuk people and conscientious citizens. Meanwhile, it would be a very simple decision – based on the results of an international study, to invalidate the positive expert opinion given by the previous corrupt government in 2016. The unreasonable delay in solving the problem in July- August 2020 led to a serious aggravation of the situation and clashes both on the approaches to Amulsar and in Yerevan, "the All-Armenian Environmental Front notes.
The total cost of the Amulsar project is $ 370 million. The life of the deposit is 10 years and 4 months, with an average annual production of 200 thousand ounces of gold planned. To recall, Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of the British offshore Lydian International. Environmentalists and ordinary citizens are concerned that the exploitation of the mine may lead to the pollution of the mineral underground waters of Jermuk and Lake Sevan. In addition to the water basin, the public is also concerned about the possible presence of uranium manifestations at the deposit. Environmentalists and activists demand that the positive conclusion on the EIA project be invalidated, since it was adopted with legislative violations, and the document itself contains problems and shortcomings. Earlier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced the completion of its participation in the project for the development of the Amulsar field.