International CSOs letter regarding Amulsar mine
January 22, 2019
The undersigned civil society groups stand in solidarity with the residents of Jermuk, Gndevaz and Kechut, and with the environmental activists and concerned civil society in Armenia and appeal to the Government of Armenia to act on the Amulsar mine pr
New reports add details to investigation of Armenia gold mine
January 8, 2019
If you’re looking for a revolution, sign up for notifications from your embassy. The messages pinging on smartphone screens that night in October began not long after stepping into the evening streets around the Yerevan Cascade, warning of impending demonstrations outside the Armenian parliament. To be sure, the flashing blue and red sirens and thousands of people flooding past were impossible to ignore as well, so the consulates’ SMSs came as little surprise and instead provided more than anything context to the oncoming commotion.
Biodiversity offsetting and other problems of the ESIA of Amulsar gold project in Armenia
January 8, 2019
This report is a critical analysis, with regard to the impacts on biodiversity, of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the Amulsar Gold Project. Special attention has been paid to the biodiversity offsetting proposal for creation o
Social impacts of the Amulsar mine in Armenia
January 8, 2019
The Amulsar mine presents a number of considerable health and social risks to local communities, the tourism potential of the nearby Jermuk spa resort and the surrounding villages’ orchards, pastures and water supplies. The company Lydian Armenia prepa
How citizens battling a controversial gold mining project are testing Armenia’s new democracy
August 7, 2018
Can Armenia’s Velvet Revolution deliver change for communities struggling for their health, livelihoods and futures? Source: How citizens battling a controversial gold mining project are testing Armenia’s new democracy
Bulgarian gold in offshore paradise linked to European public lender
November 21, 2017
The profits of the richest Bulgarian gold mine are “optimised” through several Caribbean offshore companies and a Dutch cooperative. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is one of the shareholders.
EU-Geld für schmutziges Gold
July 13, 2016
Die Kumtor-Mine verseucht das Land. Die Europäische Entwicklungsbank ist daran beteiligt. Das könnte Merkel in Kirgistan ansprechen. BERLIN taz | Noch nie war ein deutscher Regierungschef in der kirgisischen Hauptstadt Bischkek, insofern betritt Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) auf ihrer Reise Neuland.
Interviewing the EBRD about the Kumtor gold mine
May 14, 2015
This interview was conducted during the EBRD annual meeting and business forum, 14-15 May 2015 in Tbilisi. The interview was led by Ryskeldi Satke (RS) with Dr. Alistair Clark (AC), EBRD’s Managing Director Environment and Sustainability Department; Michaela Bergman (MB), EBRD’s Chief Counselor for Social Issues Environment and Sustainability Department; and Dr. Dariusz Prasek (DP), Director, Project Appraisal Environment Department.
Kyrgyzstan and the conflict over natural resources
July 29, 2013
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country rich in water and natural resources. The country is one of 2000 priority ecological regions of the planet with unique ecosystems and biodiversity and is considered the “water tower” of Central Asia due to its Tien Shan glacier reserves. The management of Kyrgyzstan’s natural resources is crucial to the future sustainability of the country. However in a region where poverty is widespread, the primacy placed on economic development seriously threats sustainability.
Constant dripping wears away the stone. Kyrgyz parliament votes to renegotiate Kumtor gold mine contract.
February 21, 2013
Challenging a mining operation that generates about ten percent of GDP in a country and particularly doing so on environmental and social grounds is an intimidating task. But as the example of the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan shows, indefatigability and scientific expertise can persuade decision-makers to defend the interests of a country and its people.