YEREVAN. - It is possible to smelt pure copper in Armenia but the issue is the sale of the dipping acid as a byproduct, General Director of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, Mher Poloskov, told Armenian News – NEWS.am on Tuesday during the WCFDavos/Yerevan forum entitled “From Crisis to Development – Powered by Communication.”

During the term of former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Levon Yolyan, in 2016, a working group was set up to study the matter. It also involved the combine representatives.  

Poloskov recalled that the combine used to consider such opportunities on its own before. Several years ago a plant maquette was constructed with one of the Finnish companies.   

Of course, no sufficient amount of copper ore was then extracted in the country but with the exploitation of Teghut mine, the amounts have become sufficient. However, for the project to satisfy its expenses, it is necessary to sell the byproducts as well. Considering that copper ores in Armenia are sulfuric, it is necessary to find opportunities for the sale of dipping acid or sulfur powder. The thing is that the dipping acid has relatively high transportation costs (special tare and special transportation regime). Such productions are usually prepared not far from seaports in order to reduce the expenses on the acid transportation. In Armenia the expenses of taking them even to the Black Sea ports may prove to be too much.  

“But overall the project is very important for the country’s industry and we are ready to take part in the further discussions,” Poloskov said.

The representatives of the Armenian Government stated about the talks with Chinese companies also in late September 2016.

Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine operates Kajaran copper molybdenum deposit (the largest one in the country) in southern Armenia.