STOP THE PLUNDER

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Houry Ellezian, Montreal, 17 July 2020

Photo: Mount Amulsar as seen from Jermuk resort town (Courtesy of armecofront)

Though obvious for most people, high risks of mining are still not so apparent for some. They prefer to view things from the narrow scope of personal gain or understanding. In other words, when you tell them the patient will die if you remove the heart, they will say oh, but we desperately need that heart, it is very profitable, and we may upset foreign investors who paid for it!

We are turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the many outcries of people. New developments in the dark are taking advantage of the grave situation at the borders. We do not know who the new owners are, or what their plan is. The authorities should keep a close eye and order any operations to stop at this time of high alert. Especially, when a new revelation informs us that a great number of Turks are shareholders, and are extremely interested to go ahead with the Amulsar project.

What is more upsetting is to hear this view emanating from certain well-respected politicians day in and day out. They have a wide audience and influence but no scientific background to lecture on how important and necessary the mines are for the economy and self-sufficiency of the country. In perspective, I would also be confused if I had no scientific knowledge!

It is high time to have a healthy strategic policy for mining in the country. Stop the plunder, stop giving out new licenses, stop allowing increased production of mining, stop risking more villages, communities, clean water and health. Above all, have a firm decision about Lydian or its successors who are still a big question mark! Time is precious for all parties and prolonging this problem has complicated matters.

The following are a few of the references recommended to readers. They were used in all three past articles: Hazards and Human Cost of Mining in Armenia, Disastrous Mines of Armenia in Pictures, Amulsar a would-be Disaster

Must watch Documentaries

	*Title*	*Description*	*Duration*
1	«Հայաստանի կոտրվող ողնաշարը»-Այն, ինչ ցույց չեն տալիս հեռուստացույցով – Armenia’s Breaking Backbone – armecofront	The breaking backbone of Armenia – that which is not shown on TV. (demonstrating how mines are eroding and poisoning Armenia). Dec 12, 2013	1 hour 8 min
2	Time for Armenia to choose: Mining for Development or Systematic Plunder? Mining is a threat to Syunik	This video is an investigative report on the Syunik area alone. 30th March 2015	27 min
3	«Բնապահպանական աղետ Լոռիում. Ախթալայի լեռնահարստացուցիչ կոմբինատի հետեւանքները» “ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN LORI: THE CONSEQUENCES OF AKHTALA MOUNTAIN ENRICH COMBINAT”	A discussion on environmental disaster in Lori, “Akhtala Mountain Enrich Combinat” mine, pollution of Debed river and Nahatak tailings dam, what should be Armenia’s strategy in general. Jan 29, 2018	50 min
4	Amulsar. State of Indifference	A comprehensive film narrative about the mining project at Amulsar by Lydian	40 min
5	Armenia: Mining Out the Leopard	“People and Power” by Alzajeera, an in-depth report about why people were protesting a gold mine project. 31 Jan 2019	25 min
6	Ամուլսար – Ի՞նչ ակնկալել ՄԱՍ 2 \| Amulsar – What’s Next PART 2	*Harout Bronozian* explains why Amulsar mining cannot be executed, through the many studies of his own team. Sep 20, 2019	56 min
7	Ամուլսար – Ի՞նչ ակնկալել ՄԱՍ 3 \| Amulsar – What’s Next PART 3	*Gagik Melikian* talks about Uranium deposits* found in Amulsar, and violation of human rights. Sep 20, 2019*	45 min