Tailing dumps pose serious danger for environment
EcoLur Informational NGO has addressed letters to Ministries of Nature Protection, Emergency States and Energy and Natural Resources, calling their attention to environmental issues. In the letters the NGO raised three questions.
"Armenia currently has 15 operating tailing dumps, 400 operating mines, out of which 22 are metal ones. In case of any quake, there is high probability that all these hazardous objects will pose a serious danger for environment," wrote EcoLur.
"The objects will be damaged, while the content of tailing dumps, which are mainly located near settlements, pastures, water springs may cause irreversible damage both to people and nature. Nevertheless, non of such sort of risks is evaluated so far.
Several questions arise to the Ministries of Nature Protection, Emergency States and Energy and Natural Resources.
Who must assess the seismic vulnerability of 15 operating tailing dumps, 400 operating mines and million tons of toxic dumps?
Whether seismic vulnerability assessment is included in new mine development projects and production expansion projects?"
