VIDEO: Are Wastewater Discharges Impacting the Araks River? Clarification Provided

The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia assures that chemical substances from the Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Plant have not been discharged into the Araks River. In response to media reports claiming that 'chemical substances from the Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Plant have polluted the Araks River and harmed the environment,' the ministry clarified that the issue is under strict control by the Ministry of Environment.

Under the directive of Minister Hakob Simidyan, monitoring specialists from the 'Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center' are on-site, conducting sampling work along the entire stretch of the Araks River.

'According to the information available at this time, the wastewater has only flowed onto the asphalt road (a video is attached), and has not entered the Araks River. Currently, the section of the M2 road at the 381st km from Yerevan to Meghri has been cleared of wastewater containing chemicals (an attached photo shows the cleaning efforts). Cleanup operations are ongoing.

Regarding claims in the publications that significant damage has been inflicted upon the environment, affecting the flora and fauna of the river and its nearby coastal areas, we once again urge our media partners to refrain from making assessments while examination work is ongoing. The Ministry of Environment is working with all interested parties concerning this matter. Additional information will be provided to the public,' the ministry's press release states.