We Hear From Authorities What We Heard From Serzh Sargsyan in the Teghut Case: HBC

The issues related to metal mining are not fabricated or exaggerated; they are underestimated challenges. There is a lack of research on mining at both state and academic levels, particularly concerning calculations of the damage caused. This was stated by HBC member Anna Shahnazaryan during a public discussion held today, September 20, in Yerevan’s Mashtots Park, as part of an environmental mobilization day.

"In the case of the Amulsar project, even ‘Lydian’ has assessed that the community of Gndevaz will become impoverished," she emphasized.

HBC member, geographer Levon Galstyan, presented the results of activists’ efforts in recent years:

"The first issue was the road through the Shikahogh Sanctuary, where they wanted to construct an alternative road from Meghri to Kapan. A significant mobilization occurred which led to the cancellation of the project; ultimately, the road was built, bypassing the sanctuary.

The next issue was related to the Sotk mine, which had long been operated in a closed manner, with ore being transported and processed in the Ararat region. To avoid these expenses, there were plans to build a processing plant in the basin of Lake Sevan, and again, this project was canceled as a result of the protests. This was a significant victory during Serzh Sargsyan's term.

There has always been a struggle, and those who wonder why there was no fight before perhaps have forgotten or are trying to bury that memory. In 2009-10, exploration works for a uranium mine were conducted near Kajaran, in the territory of the Nrnadzor community. The residents expressed their opposition, organized a petition, and held protests, ultimately leading the company to leave Armenia.

Another case is the story of Ttchkan, where a hydropower plant was proposed in an area recognized as a natural monument, which the citizens successfully campaigned against, forcing the government to cancel the project.

Another longstanding struggle has been regarding Teghut. Since 2003-2004, the fight had intensified more after 2005-2006 until exploitation. There are manipulations regarding why residents and environmentalists are now actively protesting, because we have the example of Teghut, where the fight becomes meaningless after exploitation starts.

Although the mine was exploited, the operating company ceased operations after three years due to financial, economic, technical, and ecological issues. This means that the project presented as the largest investment by the previous government and Serzh Sargsyan is sounding eerily similar to what we are hearing now from representatives of the previous regime and the new revolutionary representatives who seem to be infected by Serzh’s malaise, which perhaps has not left the cabinets and contaminates those in them.

It is noteworthy that today a school strike and labor strike have been announced in the cities of Jermuk, Gndevaz, and Kechut. Citizens fighting against the exploitation of Amulsar gathered in Jermuk for a rally and announced they would stop the strike and labor action, awaiting the government’s response and the prohibition of the mine’s exploitation.