Ecologists in Armenia are dissatisfied with the fine sum on the cuprum-molybdenum enterprise for environment pollution with waste products

Nature Conservation Inspection of Armenia has fined Zamgezur cuprum-molybdenum enterprise to 100 thousand drams (less than 300 dollars) for 50 ton "tails" (waste products) leak into the river of Vokhchi. The environment damage itself was estimated a little higher, i.e. 650 thousand drams (about 1 800 dollars), the ecologists report. 

According to "EcoLur" ecologic organization, the tails of the enterprise contain chemicals used in ore flotation. Besides, the tails contain all the metals existing in the initial ore material: copper, molybdenum and such admixtures as rhenium, selenium, tellurium and bismuth. All these metals are considered toxic for environment and human health.

A local organization from Kapan "For Ecologic Security and Development of Democracy" shares the ecologists' concern. Arthur Gazaryan, representative of the organization, states that it is first of all the population that is undergoing the risk for the Vokhchi river flows throughout the whole town.

"100 thousand drams is a fine sum which may be imposed by a traffic officer for driving out on the red light, Gazaryan said. - This is the sum Nature Conservation Inspection allocates for protection of ourselves and our environment".

The official position of the Ministry of Environmental Protection is that the accident has not caused damage to fish. However, Bardukh Gabrielyan sticks to another opinion.

"The effect may show up later on. There will either be no young fish or no caviar. There has been no fundamental research after the incident and, by the way, nobody has invited our Institute to participate in estimation of the damage", Gabrielyan explained.