With respect to Amulsar [gold mine], we have no proof to announce about an environmental disaster, Armenia’s Acting Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan stated recently, econews.am reported.

“A mining strategy is being developed,” he noted, in particular. “We are resolving those two [respective] matters: legislation and strategy.

Avinyan reflected also on the future of the Teghut copper and molybdenum mine, Amulsar gold mine, and Alaverdi copper-smelting plant.

“With respect to Teghut, I can say that we have a major problem there in connection with the tailings. Also, a bankruptcy process is going on,” the acting deputy PM explained. “The Alaverdi copper-smelting plant operates with quite low efficiency, and with great [environmental] harmfulness for the Alaverdi [town’s] population itself.

“As for [the] Lydian [Armenia company], at this time we are conducting an expertise in connection with [the] Amulsar [gold mine] so we can figure out how accurate are the statements made by various environmentalists, various experts.

“Environmental issues are a priority to us [the incumbent Armenian authorities]. But, nonetheless, if environmental issues are not proved (…), we can’t stop the businessman as well because we still don’t have a very concrete argument, fact, and proof which will enable us to announce that an environmental disaster awaits us [Armenia].”