During the Skype [video]conference yesterday with the experts at ELARD, several new circumstances emerged that need to be examined and assessed. The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, on Friday noted this in a Facebook post.

“Yesterday’s discussion also had contained important information to answer the question of whether the Amulsar gold mine project needs to undergo a new EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment],” he added. “Let me remind that the Ministry of Environment shall give a [respective] conclusion by September 4.”

On August 14, the Investigative Committee of Armenia publicized the results of the comprehensive audit report which was commissioned to the Advanced Resources Development (ELARD) Lebanese consultancy firm, and regarding any likelihood of environmental risks from the exploitation of the Amulsar gold-bearing quartzite mine.

The results have showed that there are no paths for groundwater flow and transmission of pollution from the Amulsar Project area to the Jermuk thermal hot water springs, plus the impact on the Arpa, Darb and Vorotan rivers near the Amulsar area is uncertain because this impact is not quantifiable.

Also, the conclusion noted 16 points which, if maintained, will make the Amulsar mine-related environmental risks manageable.

Nonetheless, there are protests against the operation of this mine.