Location of Yeraskh Metallurgical Plant Relocation Revealed

The Yeraskh metallurgical plant, which was being constructed close to the border and was regularly under Azerbaijani fire since June, will be relocated according to a decision made by the government on December 14. The plant will be built in the village of Ararat, Ararat Province.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia is expected to respond actively and quickly to the relocation of the plant, to compensate for the investments already made, to support banking financing, and to address administrative issues arising from the possible relocation. Therefore, we highlight the following issue: the provision of 8.9 hectares of production land in the enlarged community of Ararat,” stated the project from the Ministry of Economy. However, there is no talk of the relocation being driven by security concerns.

The Yeraskh plant was being built just 800 meters from the contact line. From the very first day of construction, Azerbaijan demanded an end to the construction works, arguing that the plant would cause environmental problems. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev even criticized Armenia, calling on it to “abandon dangerous practices.” Alongside these statements, Azerbaijani armed forces periodically fired at the plant, with two Indian nationals involved in construction sustaining injuries from gunfire on June 14.