VIDEO. The Price of Armenian Gold: Poor Communities and Abandoned Tailings Dumps

Hetq.am reports: "In Armenia, gold extraction is controlled by Russian businessmen, Armenian officials, or their associated individuals, while a portion passes through offshore zones and ends up in the pockets of individuals hiding from the public. 

Armenia is a country rich in metals. It has copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, gold, and silver. Extraction licenses have been issued for 28 metallic mines. 

Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia states that subsoil resources are the exclusive property of the state. The subsoil is only granted with the right of use. 

The wealth of Armenia's subsoil is exploited and exported, providing millions of dollars in profits to extractive industries. However, information about those enriching themselves at the expense of Armenia's subsoil remains inaccessible to the public. 

In this investigation, we discovered that extraction licenses have been obtained by former and current officials, their relatives or associated individuals, as well as offshore companies, some of which are linked to Russian businessmen and individuals connected to the government."