Crushing device is a cause for concern
Environmentalists are concerned about the placement of a crushing and grinding device for grinding raw gold material in the Sotk mine.
They say the placement of a device and the exploitation of the mine is dangerous to the residents of that area.
According to President of "Ecolur" NGO Inga Zarafyan, the organization received a call from the head of Sotk village, found out about the issue and asked about the consequences.
Sotk River passes through the mine and that is why the villagers' main concern is having normal water for irrigation.
The mine is exploited by GeoPro Mining Company and, according to President of the Greens Union Hakob Sanasaryan, the government has no control.
"The device also grinds. The company representatives can choose and remove whatever contains a large amount of gold and pour whatever contains a small amount of gold into the Lake Sevan basin," says Hakob Sanasaryan.
According to him, those empty scraps contain chlorine, sulfur, arsenic and other dangerous substances.
The commission for issues concerning Lake Sevan adjunct to the RA President has raised this issue and environmentalists are waiting for a fair solution.
"The company must be brought to justice," says the environmentalist.
Environmentalists also mention that the exploitation of the mine doesn't even solve the unemployment issue. Whereas there were over 150 people working there during the Soviet period, now there are only 6 or 7 people.
