Anti-uranium movement in Armenia

Another ecological scandal broke out in Armenia: the ecological situation has deteriorated considerably over the past 10 years, while the citizens are more and more concerned about their own and their children's health. The government's permission on 45-year uranium prospect, given to the 'Armenian-Russian mining company', triggered the scandal. Experts estimate 10-60 tons of uranium buried in Armenian soil. Russian side invested 3 million dollars to the project. The question whether to use the uranium in Armenia or to export it is yet unsettled. The uranium will be enriched in Russia. According to the governmental source, the processing of uranium in Suniksk district of Armenia will be corresponding to all ecological standards and won't harm the environment and the population. International experts will supervise the operation. The 'Armenian-Russian mining company's'director also stressed, that it is too early to talk about any ecological danger as for now only prospect is being undertaken. Nevertheless, the residents of the district, affected by the project, and even its administration strive for its abolishment for severalyears. According to the anti-uranium movement activists, there are enough of hazardous industries in the district already and uranium mine will endanger the ecology even more. The level of radiation already exceeded normal indicator by 3.5. Drive for signatures against the uranium project realization is already launched. Some 3,000 residents of Kapan, center of the Sunik district, (i.e. 10% of its population) took part in a rally against uranium prospect and the city administration supported their position. The activists claim that this is an ecological and not political issue, and they will not allow the politics to get in the way. However, it is hard not to remember that the Karabakh conflict originally started with the protests against biochemical plant construction in the town of Abovyan.

Susanna Petrosyan. Exclusively for VK.