EcoLur
Alaverdi Town will stay for 45 days under the intensive impact of chlorofluorocarbons, as 45 days are needed to accomplish planned rehabilitation of the chimney and newly-built smoke pipe of Alaverdi copper smelting plant. In this regard, “Armenian Copper Program” CJSC Director Gagik Arzumanyan in reply to the letter addressed by Alaverdi Aarhus Center Coordinator Anush Evoyan said, “Because of the planned rehabilitation of chimney and newly-built smoke pipe of Alaverdi copper smelting plant, “Armenian Copper Program” CJSC temporarily stopped the operation of the chimney and the smoke pipe. The rehabilitation works of the chimney and the new smoke pipe will last 45 days. In this period chlorofluorocarbon will be discharged through the old chimney, which is 100 meters long. The company is alleging for the understanding of Alaverdi population and other communities exposed to possible increase in adversary effect. The company is stating about its willingness to pay environmental fees equivalent to the factual environmental impact during the operation of the old chimney and is currently running negotiations with the Nature Protection Ministry.”
We think that in such emergency states the company is obliged to stop the operation of Alaverdi copper smelting plant given health safety of the residents and not to limit themselves with the willingness to pay more environmental fees. Besides paying environmental fees, “Armenian Copper Program” CJSC shall think of compensating damage caused to people’s health.
June 03, 2015 at 18:16