YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Environment Erik Grigoryan commented on the question whether there is a need for a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) related to the Amulsar gold mine.

“We have examined ELARD’s data and have also sent inquiries to a number of state structures, such as Hydromet which provided information in connection with evaporation. For instance, ELARD stated that there are problems connected with evaporation, noting that it is overestimated. Hydromet also said that the evaporation has been presented 3 times more. Now there are data which should be examined within the frames of the criminal case launched by the Investigative Committee. The analysis we submitted to the Prime Minister’s staff contains a certain proposal on some modification to the draft. We have presented our concerns in 12 points, the discrepancies we have found based on ELARD’s conclusion and the works of the Academy. If we have submitted that document, it means those facts at least need to be checked, examined and clarified”, the minister said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan