The public hearing of Geoteam’s Amulsar’s complex mining project and EIA’s (Environmental Impact Assessment) report took place in Gorayk community in Syunik region. Representatives of Amulsar mine affected communities of Gorayk, Gndevaz, Saravan and Jermuk, ecologists, specialists and community residents partook in the hearing.

During September 27 hearings, Geoteam CEO Hayk Aloyan noted that in July, the company submitted Amulsar project to the Ministry of Nature Protection, Energy and Natural Resources in order to get relevant mining license, which also involves the assessment of the surrounding environment.

Those present were actively voicing their questions and getting responses to them. The experts touched upon matters of concern for the local residents and gave them answers.

"Nature Protection Expertise" SNCO Deputy Director Henrik Grigoryan pointed out that as of now, he cannot say when the expert report concerning the effect of the planned actions on the environment will be made.

“In accordance with established procedure, we have passed all received opinions and remarks to Geoteam which in its turn, has responded to us in accordance with established order”, he said. The Ministry representative also spoke about the article published by Ecolur NGO which states that the environmental expertise should be negative, and suggested giving a detailed answer to the questions raised in the article. The company employees and invited experts touched upon the article.

Touching upon the issue related to the irrefutable presence of uranium and the radiation hazard mentioned in Ecolur’s article, Environmental and Social Manager of Geoteam Armen Stepanyan stated that the “authors’ statement are founded on the studies which claim that uranium accumulations are found 5 km to the north of Amulsar summit, while it’s exactly the summits that will be exploited”.

Armenia’s NPP’s Deputy Chief of Radiation Safety Department Konstantin Pyuskulyan noted that the maximum distance of the dissemination of radioactive materials is 1200 meters, while it can be up to 50 meters at most in the territory of the mine exploitation.

Ornithologist Lyuba Babayan spoke about the results of latest study which had neophron in the “spotlight” of Armenian and Belgian ornithologists for several months. “The study which lasted several months revealed that the neophron does not use the territory on which Geoteam is going to implement works”, she said.

Chief of Gorayk Community Arustam Arustamyan said that he has witnessed modern and successful examples of mine exploitation in the U.S. and is sure Geoteam will guide itself by the same high environmental standards.

Gorayk resident Tigran Arustamyan said that the community residents and company employees regularly meet and hold discussions. He also added that Geoteam has made a number of investments in the community and has carried out projects promoting agriculture and animal-breeding.

Resident of the community Anahit Hovakimyan pointed out that potable water was a major issue in the village but it was resolved owing to Geoteam.

“I cannot say for certain whether we are for the mine exploitation or against it. Just like any other work, this one also has its positive and negative aspects. If we speak of the positive results, then I should say that to a certain extent the emigration rates have decreased in the village, the young have stayed here and there are workplaces. Of course, people are concerned about what will be once the mine exploitation completes but it’s the environmentalists and relevant bodies that should give an answer to it”, Director of Gorayk Secondary School Martun Tadevosyan said. 

Siranush Yeghiazaryan