EcoLur
The main cause of water resource pollution is mining, as YSU experts stated at the workshop entitled “Improvement of Environmental Policy and Developing Green Policy in Mineral and Water Resource Exploitation” held on 12 December.
“Qajaran combine takes the high-quality clean drinking water from the upper reach of the Voghji River, which is used in the mining, then this water turns into sewage, which flows into the tailing dump and then into the rivers thus polluting river basin. In my opinion, if the policy towards mining is not changes demanding non-waste mining, closed system and complex development from them, the further expansion of this phenomenon will results in the pollution of our water basis and environmental pollution, which bears huge risks for human health,” YSU Geography and Geology Faculty Dean Marat Grigoryan said.
Voghji River ZCMC
“Have you ever seen the Kartchevan River in Agarak? Tails flow in the river. Who is responsible for that? Water is one of the priorities of “green economy”. In Armenia the industry pay 50 lumas for one cum water. Water prices shall definitely be raised for the industry. Why are you afraid these companies will leave? If they leave, other companies will come and operate better,” YSU Sustainable Development Center Ruben Movsesyan said. According to him, “environmental pledge” mechanism shall be imposed on miners. “Before issuing any license it’s necessary to estimate probable pollution extent together with the state and funds needed to eliminate its consequences. The company intending to carry out mining activities, shall transfer this money to the bank, where it will be accumulated. If the company causes damage with its activities, the state can take the funds as compensation without asking for permission,” Ruben Movsesyan proposed. ACMC Karchevan River
Nature Protection Minister Artsvik Minasyan told the participants of the workshop that Armenia is currently preparing its application of candidacy for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), under which it will be required to public information on the incomes of mining branches and three-lateral discussions will be carried out among government, private sector and civil society to make processes more transparent.
December 14, 2016 at 12:13