The Union of Miners and Metallurgists of Armenia Sends Open Letter to the Government

The Union of Miners and Metallurgists of Armenia expresses its concern regarding the negative severe consequences caused by recurrent irresponsible and illegal actions concerning one of the pillars of the country’s economy – the mining sector. Various groups are systematically attempting to undermine or disrupt the normal activity of various mining companies under different pretexts.

A situation has arisen in which a group of individuals can unjustly compromise huge investments and the normal operations of companies providing hundreds of jobs under the guise of environmental protection. The latest incident involved residents of the Geghamasar enlarged community blocking the Vardenis-Karabakh interstate road. For the past two years, the roads leading to the Amulsar mine have been obstructed, and the same situation exists at the Akhtala mining and processing complex and elsewhere.

Falsehoods and slanders regarding the sector are prevalent. It is time to take action and not allow this infection of lawlessness to turn into an uncontrollable and dangerous means of disrupting the mining sector’s operations, with consequences that could be irrevocable for the country’s economy. The fact that, based on the statistics of the last six months, the extraction volumes in the sector have increased by about 30%, and that exports constitute 34% of the country’s total export volume, carrying almost 10% of the tax burden paid by the country’s largest taxpayers, and providing direct employment for more than 10,000 people (and nearly 60,000 when including related sectors), should sober any concerned individuals regarding their country. This indicates that especially in crisis situations, the only solid support for the economy remains the mining industry.

Today, miners, together with the relevant state bodies, are making efforts to make sector operations more transparent, predictable, and manageable from an environmental perspective. Recently, Armenia, including through the efforts of miners, joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. This platform allows the government, civil society, and miners to address all issues and concerns in a constructive atmosphere and strictly within the framework of the law.

It is unacceptable to allow individual groups, guided by their knowledge, doubts, or simply directed by various interests, to unlawfully impact the normal operations of companies vital for state budget revenues and for the livelihood of thousands of people.

We call for and demand an end to the indecisive response to irresponsible approaches towards the sector, to prevent manifestations of illegality under the guise of 'environmental concerns,' and to address real or alleged environmental issues through the relevant bodies within the framework of the law.

Mining is not a crime; it is a wealth that must be managed wisely, calculatedly, and intelligently, extracting potential benefits while neutralizing possible dangers, as is done in many prosperous, developed, and environmentally exemplary countries.

We urge the Government of Armenia to heed the voices of the professional community and not to yield to the groundless demands of those polluting the source that nourishes the country's economy.

UNION OF MINERS AND METALLURGISTS OF ARMENIA