Residents of Razdan are concerned about development of mine with possible uranium content

The Armenian government is considering the application of residents of the city of Razdan and a number of public organizations, in which they expressed their concern about the exploitation of the iron mine. According to their story, uranium was detected in the area of the deposit.

In late July, 600 residents of Razdan wrote to the Public Council under the President of Armenia asking him to prevent the exploitation of the iron mine, located in close proximity to the city. According to the environmental organization "Ecolur", the Razdan iron deposit contains heavy and toxic metals like chromium, selenium and arsenic.

Later, rumours began circulating among the residents of the city that uranium was already detected in the mine. On August 19, an official statement was sent by residents of Razdan and several environmental organizations to the Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan.

"We've learnt from unofficial sources that under the request of the government the Razdan iron mine was examined. Besides, rumours appeared among the population of Razdan that in the course of the works carried out in the mine uranium was found, which caused a strong wave of anxiety. We believe that unawareness may cause the heat of passions. For this reason we hereby ask you to provide us and the whole population with the justified explanations of the aforesaid," reads the letter of Razdan residents.

The letter was received by the Government of Armenia; and its officials are studying it and prepare an answer. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it at the department for reception of citizens and consideration of applications of the Government of Armenia.

According to the ecologist Inga Zarafyan, the head of the organization "Ecolur", still there is only one study of the deposit of metals in Armenia made 50 years ago. The map prepared by Soviet scientists suggests that in many metals fields in Armenia uranium was present.

"The polymetal deposits, which are in plenty in the country, surely have manifestations of uranium. Of course, in case of exploitation of the field in Razdan, threats will appear for the environment and population," said Zarafyan.