Radiation Background Measurements in Vayq Town, Azatek Community and Azatek Mine (Photo)

EcoLur

On 29 October the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee by the Armenian Government (NSRC) conducted the measurements of the natural radiation background in Vayq Town, Azatek Community and the area adjacent to Azatek mine in Vayots Dzor. EcoLur took part in the measurement works together with Karapet Ohanyan, Chief Specialist – State Inspector on Environmental Radiation Monitoring of Armenian NRA and Karen Haroyan, Leading specialist on radiation safety at Nuclear and radiation safety center.

During the works meetings were held with Vayq Deputy Mayor Vasyl Aslanyan and Azatek Community Head Sirak Hovsepyan. In his talk with EcoLur Vasyl Alsanyan said that had also received alarm signals in regard with Azatek mine. “We have invited the director of “Vayq Gold” LLC and had a talk. They told us their company had signed an agreement with the miners company and currently they are only sampling,” Vayq Deputy Mayor said.

Sirak Hovsepyan mentioned in his talk that he hadn’t received alarm signals from the community residents. “As we know, the exploration is still in progress. No talks yet. If they find the reserves they want, public hearings must be organized. At that time we will know whether or not people agree,” Sirak Hovsepyan said.

Under him, the mine is located in a distance of 5-6 km from the village: land areas are located in the area adjacent to the mine, pastures are located in immediate proximity, while villagers’ plough lands and orchards are located 2-3 km upwards.

Azatek villagers interpreted possible mining as follows, “They want people to die with full stomachs.”

“It’s hazardous for human people, and we will oppose to having jobs at the expense of our health: let them open factories, otherwise, we will get money in the uranium mine, but the whole nation will be harmed,” the residents said.

“During the Soviet Union there were attempts to open a mine, measurements were carried out and it was realized that radiation flow would be large, so the works stopped. Still at that time they said, if the mine was developed, the town had to be relocated, and the mine was closed,” Vayq resident said.

In the mine area “Vayq Gold” LLC geologist Martin Nersisyan met us, “Since 2005 I have been employed as a Chief Geologist, there are 600-700 drills, where is uranium?...If there was chemical radiation, nobody would live here,” Martin Nersisyan said.

After conducting measurements Karen Haroyan said, “Whatever we have fixed doesn’t give us any information, we should analyze the results on the computer.”

The specialists will draw up an in-detailed report and submit to the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee within several days.

October 31, 2014 at 14:03