Kapan residents and environmentalists concerned over open exploitation of metal mine

Residents of the town of Kapan in Syunik region, and a group of environmentalists have voiced concerns over the environmental and healthcare challenges posed by Deno Gold Mining company's plans to exploit the town's multi-metal mine in an open manner.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, President of Ecolur NGO Inga Zarafyan said a study conducted by the National Academy's Ecosphere Center had revealed extremely high quantities of metal in certain areas of Syunik region. She said the metal concentration in water, soil and food in those areas proved to exceed the permitted limits.

Zarafyan added that relevant government bodies look uninterested in the problem. She stressed the importance of the Healthcare Ministry's organizing free medical examinations in the towns of Kapan and Kajaran.

"Some children there have all their teeth turned black," she said.

Environmentalists warn that heavy metals do not get neutralized in environment. They accumulate in soil in the course of time, causing serious diseases in humans.

President of Bird Lovers NGO Silva Adamyan said their organization had received reports on plans to cut 50 trees in Kapan within project frameworks. Later, the mayor of the town announced officially that it is planned to cut 7000 trees.

"We are going to lose Zangezur. We'll soon have no resident in the area in the aftermath of operating the plant. We already possess data on sick children being born in Kajaran. Now all this is going to happen in Kapan. We are asking the government - is operating the mine its only area of concern?"

The environmentalists are planning to request the European Bank to suspend the funding of the project.

They will also warn the company's owner - Dandy Precious Metals, as well as the Canadian premier, of the disastrous impact of the project.

The activists said the cabinet has not yet issued a permit for the exploitation of the mine.

"We are trying to prevent the project from being implemented. Experience shows that discussions will enable people to reach an agreement," they said.