Amulsar: conclusions of international renown experts
Three international well known expert groups (from Australia, USA and Canada) (on the order of Harut Bronozian from the US) studied dozens of documents available on Lydian International company’s website and presented their assessments and conclusions on number of environmental risk of the gold project in Amulsar.
Below are the reports:
- Review of water treatment at the proposed Amulsar Gold project: Clear Coast Consulting, Inc, 13.06.2017
- EVALUATION OF LYDIAN AMULSAR GOLD MINING PROJECT: ASSESSMENT OF ARD POTENTIAL AND EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER: BMC, 17.06.2017
- SUMMARY REPORT EVALUATION OF LYDIAN AMULSAR GOLD MINING PROJECT: ASSESSMENT OF ARD POTENTIAL AND EFFECTS ON SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER: BMC, 18.06.2017
- Evaluation of Hydrogeochemical Issues Related to Development of the Amulsar Gold Project, Armenia: Key Assumptions and Facts: BUKA ENVIRONMENTAL, 19.06.2017
- Lydian Amulsar Gold Mine Project in Armenia Lacks Proper Environmental Evaluation and Threatens Water Quality From Long-Term Acid Generation: Summary and Recommendations
- Response to Lydian review of Bronozian-commisioned reports: Final report – Report prepared by: Blue Minerals Consultancy, Buka Environmental, Clear Coast Consulting, Inc. October 2017
- Initial Comments on Lydian’s 2016 Sustainability Report for the Amulsar Project – Buka Environmental, 16 October 2017
- Evaluation of Geochemical Characterization Results and Proposed Additional Studies for the Amulsar Project, Armenia – Buka Environmental, 30 October 2017
- Response to Lydian’s report: Further details of Lydian’s approach to adaptive management of ARD – 18 December 2017, Blue Minerals Consultancy, Buka Environmental, and Clear Coast Consulting
- Amulsar Gold Project: Overview of Concerns with the Amulsar Gold Project, Potential Consequences, and Recommendations. Final Submission. – 10 January 2018
- Amulsar Gold Project:Overview of Concerns with theAmulsar Gold Project, Potential Consequences, and Recommendations – January 2018
- RESPONSE TO STATEMENTS BY LARRY BRECKENRIDGE OF GRE REGARDING AMULSAR GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS – 13 February 2018
- Reply to Lydian and GRE Statements Critical of Blue Minerals Consultancy ARD Assessment: Dr Roger Smart and Dr Andrea Gerson – 13 February 2018
- Primary Concerns Regarding the Amulsar Gold Project – 16 May 2018
- International experts about Amulsar – 20 May 2018
- Announcement of Bronozian Consultants after visiting Amulsar – 23 May 2018
- Report on our Trip to Amulsar Gold Project and Outstanding Project Risks - September 2018
These reports particularly cover the potential of acid rock drainage emergence and its impact on surface and ground water, evaluation of hydrogeochemical problems, as well as issues of water treatment. Let us mention that these analyses were carried out by scientists from three different organizations with PhD degrees and who have dozens of years of practical experience in this field.
In these documents a number of shortcomings, omissions, cases of usage of internationally unacceptable methods, insufficient amount of researched samples, wrong conclusions and assumptions, not assessed or mitigated risks, absence of liability tools of the company and other serious problems found in Lydian’s documents, risk assessments and management plans were scientifically grounded.
It also turned out that Lydian has to implement around three dozens of recommendations and studies some of which are big, expensive and lengthy. These refer to upgrading the heap leach facility, the barren rock facility, geochemical narrative and ARD management to the level envisaged by the working plan as well as predictable models used for water treatment systems and water balance.
As a result of these studies, all independent experts concluded that “Exploitation of mine in Amulsar cannot start until all ecological issues are properly addressed by independent bodies/advisors. Their findings should be incorporated in a management plan of acid and metal containing drainage which will include liabilities and responsibilities of both the government and the company”.
Armenian Environmental Front (AEF) civic initiative
Email armecofront@gmail.com