ACP causes 380 million drams worth damage to environment
28.09.2018,
17:47
The Armenian Copper Program (ACP), a private company engaged in exploration, development, production, processing and marketing of minerals and metals in northern Armenian province of Lori, has caused about 380 million drams ($788 thousand) worth environmental damage, the Armenian Nature Protection Inspectorate said today.
YEREVAN, September 28. /ARKA/. The Armenian Copper Program (ACP), a private company engaged in exploration, development, production, processing and marketing of minerals and metals in northern Armenian province of Lori, has caused about 380 million drams ($788 thousand) worth environmental damage, the Armenian Nature Protection Inspectorate said today citing the findings of a relevant study. It said this damage to the environment has been caused by air and water pollution, as well as by improper storage of waste.
It said a number of measures were to be proposed to the company to reduce emissions, but after negotiations with its top managers it emerged that at the moment their implementation is not realistic. The Inspectorate suggested that the company organize public discussions in the city of Alaverdi and provide the public with full and true information about its operation. The Inspectorate said also the outcome of discussions will help it specify the instructions for the company.
The company has been operating in Armenia since 1997. Earlier it was called Manes and Valles. The company's copper smelting plant and copper mine, located in the city of Alaverdi, have a 250-year history. In the 18-19 centuries the copper-smelting plant produced 60-200 tons of copper per year. In the beginning of the 20th century - about 2 thousand tons. The production peak came in the 1980s, when the annual output reached 55 thousand tons of pure copper.
The company's facilities allow processing of 50,000 tons of concentrate per year and produce up to 12,000 tons of blister copper. Currently, the company receives the entire volume of copper concentrate needed for the production of blister copper from the Base Metals mining deposit Kashen. The rough copper is sold to German Aurubis AG. -0-
It said a number of measures were to be proposed to the company to reduce emissions, but after negotiations with its top managers it emerged that at the moment their implementation is not realistic. The Inspectorate suggested that the company organize public discussions in the city of Alaverdi and provide the public with full and true information about its operation. The Inspectorate said also the outcome of discussions will help it specify the instructions for the company.
The company has been operating in Armenia since 1997. Earlier it was called Manes and Valles. The company's copper smelting plant and copper mine, located in the city of Alaverdi, have a 250-year history. In the 18-19 centuries the copper-smelting plant produced 60-200 tons of copper per year. In the beginning of the 20th century - about 2 thousand tons. The production peak came in the 1980s, when the annual output reached 55 thousand tons of pure copper.
The company's facilities allow processing of 50,000 tons of concentrate per year and produce up to 12,000 tons of blister copper. Currently, the company receives the entire volume of copper concentrate needed for the production of blister copper from the Base Metals mining deposit Kashen. The rough copper is sold to German Aurubis AG. -0-
