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Amulsar Gold Mine is a serious threat to the Basin and to the soil quality in the Caucasus Region, Peter Tase, international expert of Transatlantic Relations and Azerbaijan's Foreign Policy, told Report, commenting on the decision of Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan to continue development of the Amulsar Gold Mine, despite mass protests of population and local environmentalists.
"After the end Cold War in Europe, many nations have advocated for a safer environment and supported the United Nations resolutions on this matter. However, knowing that Armenia has a cash - strapped economy and its people are plunged into poverty, its government has decided once again to openly violate the UN agreement on transboundary rivers," Tase said.
US expert Peter Tase
"Knowing that its people are plunged into poverty, Armenian government has decided once again to openly violate the UN agreement on transboundary rivers".
Peter TaseAmerican political scientist, expert in Transatlantic Relations Peter Tase
He said that, during his recent trip to Agdam and Tartar regions of Azerbaijan, there was a major concern, among the local farmers, over the fact that all water resources (used for agricultural projects), coming from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan under the control of Armenian Armed Forces, was heavily contaminated with some of the worst substances that are harmful to environment and soil in general.
The expert noted that this discharge was and continues to be a major obstacle for the farmers of Azerbaijan.
The US expert also believes that Amulsar Gold Mine is a serious threat to the Caspian Sea Basin and to the soil quality in the Caucasus Region.
"With the illegal gold extraction practices, Armenia has become an untrusted international partner and is openly violating the UN sustainable development goals. There are other countries that have a national economy focused on copper and gold mining, especially in Latin America, in the same vein these nations (Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia) conduct these projects on a responsible manner and always respecting international norms and agreements."
US expert Peter Tase
"Environmental Protection Agency together with U S State Department must appoint a team of experts assigned to assess the anti-environment practices adopted by Armenian Government."
Peter TaseAmerican political scientist, expert in Transatlantic Relations Peter Tase
He voiced the hope that United Nations General Assembly, in September, will adopt legal actions and resolutions that could stop Armenian Government from contaminating transborder rivers and violating international environmental laws.
"Environmental Protection Agency together with U S State Department must appoint a team of experts assigned to assess the anti-environment practices adopted by Armenian Government, and its leadership role in attempting to pollute the Arpa and Vorotan rivers with acids, sulfates, nitrates and other dangerous chemicals."
Notably, the Amulsar gold deposit is located in the southeast of Armenia, 13 kilometers off the Jermuk resort, between the Arpa and Vorotan rivers. Environmentalists believe that the field development will lead to the pollution of rivers and consequently the Sevan lake (Geychay) and the termination of the unique flora and fauna species.
