YEREVAN.- There are  465 ore-mining licenses given in Armenia, exploration works are being carried out at another 170 sites, says the statement issued by a number of ecological organizations.

Ecologists staged a protest action on Thursday near the building of the Armenian government.

According to them, competent authorities have no data about millions of tons of materials stored in 14 tailing dumps and are unaware of health problems of people living near the mines.

Chairman of the “For Sustainable Human Development” NGO Karine Danielyan told the Armenian News- NEWS.am correspondent that 99% of industrial waste belongs to ore-mining companies, which, however, provide 2-4% of GDP.

“The damage is great but benefit is not tangible,” she said. Danielyan considers the government should impose a moratorium on ore-mining licenses at least for five years, while the operating mines should be fully explored. Besides, measures should be taken to use tailings as minefields.