Environmental watchdog uncovers 81 cases of illegal subsoil use causing AMD 1.4 billion in damage to the state
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During 2026, inspections carried out by Armenia’s Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body using digital tools and drones uncovered 81 cases of illegal subsoil use and concealment of extracted volumes, the agency said in a statement.
“Of these cases, 24 were identified during inspections of companies holding subsoil use rights, while 57 were uncovered as part of administrative proceedings initiated by the Inspection Body. Across the 81 cases, the concealed volume of illegally extracted non-metallic minerals amounted to 3,884,321.8 cubic metres. In the 57 cases alone, the environmental damage calculated by the Inspection Body amounted to AMD 254,914,192.7,” the statement said.
Reports of suspected criminal offences in all of the above cases were submitted to law enforcement authorities for further action.
Based on the recorded volumes, Armenia’s State Revenue Committee calculated the damage caused to the state at AMD 1,395,393,017.