EcoLur
“Teghout” CJSC, a part of Vallex Group Company, intends to prospect for copper and molybdenum in the basin of Shnogh River, forest areas of Lori Region. The public hearings of Tsaghkashat-Akhtenq copper and molybdenum mine field will be held in the area of Teghut mountainous complex located in Teghut Village, Lori Region, at 12:00 on 7 September.
According to the project, Tsaghkashat-Akhetq mine field is located in Tumanyan area, Lori Region, which includes around 140 km2. Akner, Haghpat and Tsaghkashat villages are located in the studied area.
Nearby are located the following residential communities – Alaverdi and Akhtala towns, Shamlugh, Teghut, Shnogh, Tchotchkan, Artchis, Mets Ayrum and Ayrum communities. According to the project submitted to Nature Protection Ministry, the heads of Alaverdi, Shnogh, Tsaghkashat, Neghots, Haghpat affected communities gave their written consent to the geological prospecting in Tsaghkashat-Akhetq mine field.
It should be mentioned that “Teghout” CJSC develops Teghout copper and molybdenum mine, and according to Teghut project, the mine will destroy 357 ha from Lalvar forest, while experts’ estimates say it will reach to 2070 ha.
As it becomes clear from the working plan of the geological prospecting in Tsaghkashat-Akhetq mine field, Lori Region, the geoprospecting is interconnected with Teghut copper and molybdenum mine development. The working plan says, “The future development of Central section of Teghut copper and molybdenum mine naturally needs thorough investigation and assessment of surrounding areas…”
Though works are planned to be carried out in the forests of Lori Region, the project says the observed domain lays in the north of floristic area of Ijevan, Tavush Region, and is classified as Caucasian floristic area.
“The vegetation of the studied area is mainly oak and hornbeam forests. In terms of local fauna the project says, “Out of 231 insect species, 11 are Caucasus endemic, 4 are South Caucasus endemic, 2 are Armenian endemic species, while Cerambyx cerdo acuminatus Motsch is red-listed in IUNC. One of 28 scale-winged insects (Parnassius apollo L.) is also red-listed in International Red Book. In the past the population of Southern banded newt was detected in the surroundings of Shamlugh Village, which was the only one in the republic. 7 species out of mammals in the area were recorded in the previous edition of Red Book Armenia, while 14 are planned to be included in the next edition.”
The project doesn’t plan to construct new roads and will use the roads designed for the previous geoprospecting. Drilling works will be arranged in the previous areas used, thus no new areas will be disturbed, the fertile layer of the soil won’t be damaged.
August 24, 2015 at 16:20