Attack on Sevan
Attack on Sevan - the mining industry expands its territory, while the projects are carried out in the package of public hearings.
Two public hearings on two projects were held in Shorzha and Ardanish villages on 22 February, with a break of two hours, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. "Gegamet Plus" Company presented the project of developing magnesium-silicate and chromite mine in Shorzha Village, while "Mika Cement" Company presented the project of developing marl limestone, which is the main component for cement preparation. Shorzha mine contains chromites and is developed in a distance of 2-3 km from Lake Sevan. The wind blows of the dust of crushed chromites directly into the lake. In due time the Scientific-Expert Committee on Lake Sevan preservation turned down the project submitted by "Gegamet Plus" Company making a reference on Article 10 of RA Law "On Lake Sevan". This article bans any processing activities in the drainage basin of Lake Sevan.
But then the committee reviewed its decision. And it's already several years since the processing plant has been showing off not far from the shore. What about Mika-Cement Company, nothing will be left from the Ardashis mountain range due to mining of cement raw materials. All the norms for preservation regime in specially protected area of "Sevan" National Park and its Ardanish reserve area have been violated. The passages of red-listed animals are destroyed, particularly those of bezoar goats. But the company continues its operations, while Nature Protection Ministry doesn't turn down its projects, EcoLur reports.
