Unpleasant Odors Emanating from the Arzvanik Tailings Dam Operated by ZCMC, Says Environmentalist

The Arzvanik tailings dam, operated by the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC), continues to remain in poor condition. Environmentalists have been sounding the alarm that the Arzvanik tailings dam does not meet international standards, endangering the lives and health of the people living in the surrounding areas.

Experts had previously stated back in 2020 that the tailings dam had about 3-4 years left in its operational capacity, but it continues to function in the same manner. Now, as the volume of production at the tailings dam has increased, according to environmentalists, the situation has worsened.

Vladik Martirosyan, the head of the Khustup environmental organization, stated in an interview with Tert.am that unpleasant chemical odors are spreading from the operational section of the Arzvanik tailings dam into the surrounding area. According to the environmentalist, in order to mitigate the negative impact on the environment, a protective forest belt should be established by the combine, which has not been done.

“To ensure that the dust of chemicals emitted from the tailings does not spread to the surrounding environment during windy conditions and that unpleasant odors do not reach the local residents, this measure should be implemented. The combine has a nursery and sufficient planting material to carry out this work and create a protective forest belt. But I do not know why, for various reasons, this has not been done yet,” remarked the head of the environmental organization.

Vladik Martirosyan recalled that the tailings dam had caused the most significant damage to the surrounding environment when pipelines that transferred harmful substances from the combine to the dam were damaged during accidents, leading to the contamination of the Voghji River. According to the environmentalist, this issue has now been resolved.

“They have introduced a third line, and during accidents, the tailings are transferred through the newly constructed line instead of the damaged one, and the river is no longer contaminated,” he added, while emphasizing that many agricultural lands in Arzvanik, Ajanan, Sevakar, and nearby communities remain under the tailings dam. Residents of these communities have been deprived of the opportunity to cultivate their lands.

Vladik Martirosyan also sees another issue regarding the greening of the dump sites, as lead from the open pit mine spills into the surrounding gorges, altering the landscape. The expert emphasized that these areas should be greened to restore the damage inflicted, but this matter is not being addressed.

Regarding the reclamation of the tailings dam, the environmentalist noted: “A part of the tailings dam, which is already filled and not in use, has undergone reclamation by the combine, meaning that where the tailings have dried, it has been covered with a layer of soil. This is done to prevent dust from spreading during windy conditions and to avoid pollution of the surrounding environment.”