YEREVAN. - Operation of mines near Sevan alpine lake will increase the risk of an induced earthquake in Armenia.

“Lake Sevan is a planted bomb or a dormant volcano. We emptied half of Sevan, which led to landslides in Armenia. Emptying Sevan will disturb the balance of the earth shell. Moreover, blasting operations in Sotk mine cause vibrations, which one day will lead to an induced earthquake,” Mane Hakobyan, a representative of Public Environmental Alliance  of Armenia told reporters on  Friday.

According to her, there is no mining industry in Armenia, but only a removal of minerals.

“No country flourished due to mining industry. It helped only a few oligarchs,” Hakobyan stressed.