ArmInfo. Lydian Armenia's security company- "Special Security Service" LLC – may lose its license. This is stated in the statement of the Armenian Ecological Front.
Green activists report that, according to official data (the response of the RA Police to the request of the deputy Sofia Hovsepyan), the "Special Security Service", based on the license issued to it, does not have permission to store and use civilian weapons and cartridges. Meanwhile, in the first days of their security activities in Amulsar, the employees of this organization openly carried weapons, which local residents and activists described as a provocation and an act of intimidation.
"In response to the inquiry of the Armenian Ecological Front, the Police informed that in connection with the admission of possible violations by the Special Security Service LLC, administrative proceedings were instituted in the Police. The results were presented to the Licensing Commission of the Police for discussion with a proposal to suspend the company's license. The conclusion made following the meeting of the licensing commission will be posted on the official website www.azdarar.am>, activists report.
The Armenian Ecological Front reminds that the "Special Security Service" began its work in Amulsar on June 30 this year, after which a number of provocative actions took place on the part of its employees. In particular, they dismantled the cabins of activists in the approaches to Amulsar, installing their own in their place, which resulted in clashes with local residents. Four employees of the security company were detained on suspicion of hooliganism. As a result, by the decision of the community, their cabins were also dismantled, since they were located in the territory outside the jurisdiction of Lydian Armenia.
On August 20, in front of the RA Government, a protest action was held by green activists and residents of Jermuk demanding to withdraw the draft EIA (environmental impact assessment) for the Amulsar mine. The protesters also pointed out that on August 19, the Lydian Armenia security company used force against activists who parked their cars near Amulsar. The total cost of the Amulsar project is $ 370 million.
The life of the mine is 10 years and 4 months, with an average annual production of 200 thousand ounces of gold planned. We add that 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 to invalidate the positive conclusion on the EIA project, 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 development project of the Amulsar mine.