Uranium field exploitation in Armenia will be safe, says expert

The Armenian-Russian joint enterprise will by the end of this year find out whether or not Armenia has uranium deposits. Currently specialists are exploring the area around Voghchi River that flows between Kapan and Kajaran towns in Syunik marz (province), Head of State Committee for Nuclear Security Regulation to Armenia’s Government Ashot Martirosyan told a press conference today.

The Government’s move to exploit Armenia’s uranium deposits has stirred up discontent among the population and environmentalists in Syunik over concerns that it will negatively affect the environment and the population nearby communities.

“It is natural that there may be concerns, but at the same time all the necessary steps will be taken to make sure the exploitation of uranium deposits is absolutely safe both for the environment and population. The works will naturally be stopped, should anything go wrong,” assured Mr Martirosyan.

In his words, however, currently work is underway to find out what deposits Armenia has, how deep they are and what kind of threat those iron ore may pose.

“If it turns out that there are enough industrial deposits [of uranium] a program will be designed which will pass an international expertise. One of the obligatory conditions will be doing the works in line with international standards,” said he, adding that the enrichment of uranium, if found of course, will not be conducted in Armenia but rather in abroad.

It is has not yet been decided whether uranium will be sold to other countries or at what prices, if found, as it is too early to discuss this kind of issues.