Second Copper Mining Plant to Be Established in Teghut

The company “Copper Mine” LLC intends to establish new production in the Teghut mine area for the processing of oxidized ores. The extracted ore from the Teghut mine is processed by “Teghut” CJSC using a flotation method. Sulfide ores are subjected to flotation, while oxidized ores are accumulated in a separate heap and are not utilized. “Copper Mine” aims to process these neglected oxidized ores, as reported by Hetq.

The area of 6.4 hectares, where the processing of oxidized ores is expected to be organized, was registered with the Cadastre Committee last year. This area is located in the region of oxidized ores in the Teghut mine, as noted in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) project. Specifically, it is situated within the boundaries of the Shnogh and Teghut settlements of the consolidated Shnogh community.

According to the EIA submitted to the Ministry of Environment, it is indicated that there will be sources of pollutants in the copper mining production. These include the transportation of ore, the stacking of heaps, the crushing of ores, and the preparation and circulation of sulfuric solutions. There will be no overflow resulting from the production processes. Vehicle washing and servicing are planned to take place at nearby service points. Rainwater in the area will be collected in a pond, which will later be used for irrigation in warm weather, while in winter it will be directed towards the terrain.

A modular biological treatment plant is planned to be installed for wastewater. The treated water is expected to be directed to a rainwater reservoir. It is anticipated that the proposed activities will not have an impact on the soil, as the heap will be installed in the waste heap area, and no new land will be engaged.

Impacts from the proposed activities are primarily expected during the operation of technical equipment. This impact relates to noise factors that may affect certain animal species. The areas designated for the heap and infrastructure are already in use and do not contain natural vegetation or habitats for wildlife.

It is significant that this copper mining production will be carried out by a different company, “Copper Mine” LLC, which was registered on December 17, 2020. The sole shareholder here is Arsen Jirairi Hambardzumyan, registered in the village of Arinj, Kotayk Province.

Armen Gharagyozyan, head of the environmental department of “Teghut” CJSC, assured us that “Copper Mine” has no connection to “Teghut” LLC. Furthermore, the area where the processing of oxidized ores will take place does not belong to “Teghut” but is communal property. According to the Cadastre Committee document, the company has registered construction rights for this area.

From the decision of the Shnogh community leader, we learn that the government-owned land at 55/1 address in the second neighborhood of Teghut village has been allocated to “Copper Mine” LLC with construction rights, with a five-year contract signed. In return, a rental fee of 1 million drams was set.

Armen Gharagyozyan noted that “Teghut” LLC has been accumulating oxidized ores not from the beginning but since the extraction reached certain layers.

It is worth noting that “Teghut” LLC temporarily halted operations and was to be re-launched after strengthening the tailings dam and constructing new supply chains for products. A public second discussion on the preliminary assessment application for the organization of copper mining by the heap leaching method presented by “Copper Mine” LLC will take place on June 8 at 12:00 PM at the residence of the administrative head of Teghut in the Shnogh community.