YEREVAN. – The decision on the operation of the Amulsar gold mine is strictly political, stated environmentalist Inga Zarafyan, at a press conference on Saturday.

She recalled that the US and the UK embassies in Armenia have expressed their formal support to the implementation of this project.

As per the environmentalist, the plan and process of operating this gold mine are very well studied.

“We have received over thirty assessments regarding this project, from independent experts in Armenia and Europe,” Zarafyan added. “This bespeaks the fact that this project has gone through a major evaluation process.”

The environmentalist noted, however, that the operation of the Amulsar gold mine will harm the environment and national security, since it puts the fresh waters and Jermuk mountain spa town at risk.