YEREVAN. – Two activists raised “SaveAmulsar” posters during Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Armenia Expo 2019 exhibition.

“Amulsar will not become a mine,” one of them said.

The American-British Lydian Armenia company began construction of the Amulsar gold mine in 2016, announcing it will invest more than $400 million in this project.

Environmentalists and activists, however, have kept the roads to Amulsar closed for a long time.

They oppose Amulsar’s operation, and argue that the exploitation of this gold mine will have a disastrous impact on the environment.

The American-British Lydian Armenia company began construction of the Amulsar gold mine in 2016, announcing it will invest more than $400 million in this project.

Environmentalists and activists, however, have kept the roads to Amulsar closed for a long time. They oppose Amulsar’s operation, and argue that the exploitation of this gold mine will have a disastrous impact on the environment.

The opinions of experts and the public on the development of the Amulsar gold deposit were divided.

Some part led by the country's leadership argues that it is necessary to allow Lydian to develop the deposit in accordance with the license issued by the previous authorities of the country. The other part, and first of all Jermuk inhabitants oppose it. Environmentalists believe that the development of the mine poses a potential threat of contamination of all the rivers of Armenia and Lake Sevan, and will cause direct damage to Jermuk resort.