Mining

There are currently hundreds of active mines in Armenia. According to HETQ.am, the last Minister of Nature Protection left office with approximately 50 of his own mines; when the Prime Minister introduced the new minister of Nature Protection, he declared that mining is the new priority for Armenia’s environment.

Hopefully Armenia can avoid the huge devastation and pitfalls the West has experienced from mining including deforestation, toxic tailing ponds that poison groundwater and rivers, but it remains to be seen as there is tremendous pressure to exploit many mines very quickly in Armenia typically using very destructive approaches with scant little attention to protective national laws and international conventions.

• SOS Tegut— Gathered 26 organizations to form an ad hoc coalition known as SOS Teghut which:

o signed a letter to the President and other key government officials
o Led several media and other actions to urge the government to halt the construction of the proposed mine at Teghut in Lori Marz.

o Had discussions with the company involved, Armenian Copper Program.

o Researched and published legal arguments to urge the government to comply with national laws and international standards regarding the ACP smelter in Aleverdi and proposed mining that would destroy hundreds of hectares of forests in nearby Teghut.

• Ongoing advocacy— working with NGO’s, media, government, international organizations and mining companies seeking to achieve a sustainable approach to the current mining frenzy in Armenia.