ArmInfo. Formed by Lydian, an independent advisory group that monitors the Amulsar development project, presented its first annual report. The head of the group, Dr. John Harker, announced during a press conference on May 22.
"We assessed the Amulsar program and developed 19 weighty proposals that Lydian Armenia can approve as part of the Amulsar project," he said. The head of the group noted that the proposals noted in the report are aimed at increasing the efficiency of the company's activities. At the same time, a group of independent experts called on the company to strengthen mechanisms for managing the social and economic activities of contracting companies.
In a conversation with ArmInfo, a member of the group, environmental expert Hayk Akarmazyan noted that, in general, expert recommendations affect three blocks - social, environmental and health protection. A separate section in the report is devoted to cyanide, A. Akarmazyan noted. "From the moment when chemical goods will be supplied to Armenia, it is necessary to establish serious control by the state, specialists, society and other interested parties," he stressed. However, today the expert does not see any serious problems related to the implementation of the Amulsar program. "Many people say that tomorrow will be bad. Therefore, we have previously prepared a report with recommendations that will avoid negative consequences at the start of the gold mining process, "he explained.
An independent advisory group was formed in 2017. It included Armenian and international experts in such areas as nature protection, healthcare, social sphere, human rights. The group consisting of 7 experts is engaged in research of fulfillment by Lydian Armenia of its obligations in accordance with the best international experience in the mining industry.
Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of the British Lydian International, whose shareholders are also large international institutional investors from the United States, Great Britain and a number of European countries, including IFC and EBRD. The Amulsar project is the largest industrial project in Armenia for the development of the Amulsar gold deposit at a total cost of $ 370 million. In August 2016, a project for the construction and development of the field was launched. Preliminary work has been carried out since 2006. The life of the Amulsar deposit will be 10 years and 4 months, an annual average of 200,000 ounces of gold (about 10 million tons of ore) is planned. The company's shares are quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Amulsar deposit is the second largest in Armenia.
