YEREVAN—Today, a report presentation about the Amulsar gold mine was held at the Hyatt Place Hotel, while about 30 environmental activists protested the mine’s exploitative measures in front of the hotel entrance.
The protest participants, under the slogan “No More Mines in Armenia,” tried to enter the hotel. However, police were lined up in front of the entrance and pushed the protesters away. A representative of the hotel’s administration came out and told the protesters that “this is not state property, get out of here,” and urged the organizers to “gather the children [and leave].”
“Go ahead and please your bosses,” “They are ruining your children’s health, are you satisfied?” and, “Can you save Amulsar like this?” protesters were heard saying to the police while being pushed away.
They don’t care about anything, obviously because one of the few ways to make a decent living in Armenia is protecting the criminal regime.
Armenia need the industrial output. No industry, no jobs. The environment should be protected by the Environmental Protection Agency. The reclamation plan is key to a project being environmentally sound or not. Set up the right monitoring agency with real teeth such as the power to issue warnings and fines, pay them well so as to be uncorruptable, and then you’ll have safe mining.