Iranian experts laud environmental standards at Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and debunk Azerbaijani fake news

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Iranian experts have highly praised the technical and safety standards in place at the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine in Armenia's Syunik Province. 

The Iranian experts visited the mine in Kajaran, Syunik province.

In response to Azerbaijani false accusations of violations of environmental norms at the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, Ali Beman Eghbali Zarch, the Head of the Eurasian Studies Department at the Institute for Political and International Studies of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, told reporters that they didn’t record any serious issues during their visit to the mine.

“What has been presented here to us shows that they maintain all international standards and norms. I think there is no serious issue,” the Iranian expert said.

Ehsan Movahedian, international relations specialist, lecturer and Caucasus expert at the Tehran ATU University, likewise confirmed that all environmental protection norms are maintained at the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine.

“Naturally, when we personally visit and see how the ore is transported to the factory section after extraction, we see that the combine is working with very high norms and standards. Naturally all safety measures are also applied here. I think Azerbaijan is saying such things because they are using the water of Voghji River to supply water to the residents of Fizuli. In that case, a question arises, why are they using particularly that water? Even if we were to assume that the extracted molybdenum pollutes the water, I think a solution could be found for such issues. For example Armenia and Iran sometimes have similar issues regarding some of their mines, and they engage in dialogue, the issues are discussed and solutions are found,” he said. Movahedian said if Azerbaijan actually wanted to find a solution to that issue, then it could have engaged in dialogue with Armenia by the example of Iran, and find a solution without exaggerating the issue.

“But overall it seems that Azerbaijan is pursuing other goals. Azerbaijan must be warned that many things have changed and they are making many mistakes, for example the mistake when they opened fire at the Kapan airport, which is not in line with international laws,” Movahedian said.

Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine Press and PR Department Director Arayik Margaryan also told reporters that the facility maintains all environmental protection norms.

“Investments are made in all directions, investments were made and new equipment was bought under the dust management program, and it will continue next year too. Azerbaijan, as always, is exaggerating the ecological issue. Any human activity is a burden on nature. Understandably, to some extent mining impacts nature, but this company is carrying out huge work to mitigate that impact. New technology is now being installed in the work of managing the tailings dam, such as pertaining to seismic safety and meteo-forecasts,” Margaryan said.

The Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine has been working for 70 years, and nevertheless the Syunik Province and particularly the Kapan-Kajaran section remains one of the most attractive and interesting nature spots in Armenia.

“If the company were to actually cause such so-called catastrophic impact on nature as described by Azerbaijan , then at least we had to see a desert here, an abandoned place. But as you can see, Syunik Province has the most forest area, especially the Kapan-Kajaran road section,” Margaryan said.

The Iranian experts visited the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine on the sidelines of the Armenia-Iran: Cooperation and New Prospects seminar organized November 5-7 by the Orbeli Center.