Chairman of EcoLur NGO Inga Zarafyan said that preparation works for the November 11 sanctioned rally in Lernadzor against exploration and development of the uranium deposit have been launched several months ago.
Around 11,000 signatures were collected during this period, Zarafyan told a press conference in Yerevan on November 12.
“The Armenian government implements a new nuclear program, in which society’s opinion is not considered,” she said, presenting relevant decisions of the government, as a result of which damage will be caused to environment.
“Residents of Lernadzor are extremely concerned over the developments. And if drilling works are launched, they will be have to leave their place of residence,” said Zarafyan.
The Chairman of EcoLur NGO noted that there are 15 tailings dams in Armenia and two burials of toxic chemicals, what is too much for a small country.
Zarafyan said that the authorities, specifically, the ministries of environment and natural resources try to assure that there is not any danger in exploration of the uranium deposit. Nevertheless, such works will lead to ground water contamination, while exploitation of the uranium deposit will result in serious ecological consequences, as all radioactive materials stay in tailings dams.
