ArmInfo. A working group with the participation of experts will be set up at the Public Council of Armenia to study the development of the Amulsar mine. Based on the analysis of facts and the results of relevant studies submitted by all interested parties, the position of the Public Council regarding the development of the mine will be formed.
It should be noted that Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of the British Lydian International. The life of the deposit will be 10 years and 4 months, with an average of 200 thousand ounces of gold planned to be mined annually. Amulsar field is the second largest reserve in Armenia. According to the company, the deposit contains about 73733 kg of gold with an average grade of 0.78 g per ton, as well as 294.367 tons of silver with an average grade of 9.29 g per ton.
The development of the field will increase the country's GDP by 1% - 4%, 1% of which will be a direct impact. Finished products, which will be almost completely exported, will be about $ 250 million. As a result, the impact on export growth is estimated at about 10%. Nevertheless, local ecologists do not share the enthusiasm of the government about the attractiveness of the mine exploitation plan. The Amulsar mine is located in the valley of the Arpa and Vorotan rivers, in the immediate vicinity of the spa town of Jermuk, famous for its mineral springs, and not far from the largest freshwater lake in the region, Sevan. Environmentalists fear that the exploitation of the field, during which sodium cyanide will be used, could lead to the oxidation of water in rivers. Contaminated waters will become unsuitable for drinking and irrigation and may cause irreparable harm to the mineral springs of Jermuk and the ecosystem of Sevan.