Ecocide continues: Armenia's lenghty history of transboundary rivers pollution Satellite images

Azercosmos has published a report on space monitoring of mineral deposits on the territory of Armenia, which are polluting transboundary rivers that cross into Azerbaijan.

As shown by multiple satellite images taken by SPOT 6 and Azersky (SPOT 7) satellites in 2017 and 2023 and lengthy research, the report demonstrates that today, no environmental norms and standards are observed by Armenia with regard to unexpected mining activities causing serious damage to the environment and ecological implications.

Besides, the report points out that as a member of the Espoo (EIA) Convention, Armenia should consult on any activity implemented in the country, get the consent of Azerbaijan in most cases and launch any operations after having an accord.

Although the volume of investments in the mining industry in Armenia is increasing, this process is accompanied by a rapid destruction of the environmental situation.

About 70 per cent of the surface water resources of Azerbaijan are formed in neighbouring countries due to transboundary streams. Since Armenia is geographically located in the basin of rivers passing through Azerbaijan, any mining activity carried out on its territory inevitably affects the country from an environmental perspective.

Thus, the report presents the following pollution problems in the 26 mining enterprises in Armenia.

1. Kapan mining industry

Thousands of tons of heavy metal salts and chemical acids are transported from Armenia to Azerbaijan through Okhchuchay River. Eventually, waste generated on the soil layer along the riverbed causes the pollution of the area. Since the pollution level repeatedly exceeded the norm, the use of river water in the country is considered to be unsuitable.

During the research, the use of water resources of Okhchuchay was considered unsuitable due to the fact that the wastewater of the Kapan mining industry was discharged directly into the river without refining and the level of pollution greatly exceeded the norm. The content of nickel in the river is 5.5 times higher than the norm while the amount of iron is 4.5 times higher.

2. Voskedzor Gold and Polymetallic Mine

The activities at the mine cause swarms of dust spreading by air throughout Azerbaijan (the territory of the Nakhchivan AR) and pollute the Araz River with chemicals discharged into the waters of Qazangolchay.

3. Arjout Gold Mine

Taking into account the distance for harmful substances emerged from the mine exploitation reaching Azerbaijan by river and air, the research estimates the possibility of pollution of the Kura River and the low probability of air pollution.

4. Upper Vardanidzor gold-multi-metal mine

Operations in the mine – the process of using and processing explosives in the quarries which leads to the spread of harmful clouds of dust to the territory of Azerbaijan through the air and pollution of the Araz River from the effects of chemicals released into the Meghri River.

The report says that mining operations will lead to environmental disasters in nearby areas.

5. Meghrasar gold mine

Dust from mines and chemicals used in the processing are of a great threat to the ecology of Azerbaijan, both by air and water. There is a characteristic feature for this type of mines that if it consists of gold and silver, the presence of radioactive background in that mine is inevitable, which constitutes a separate risk for Azerbaijan, the report says.

6. Azatek Gold Mine

Residents of the Vayk city of Armenia oppose the exploitation of the mine. The mine intended for geological research is being exploited illegally.

7. Armanis Gold and Polymetallic Mine

Leaks of industrial wastes landfill from the territory of the mine pollute the environment through the river and wind.

The discharge of acid water near the complex into ponds, Valley and then into the Qarasu River has been recorded.

As a result of the chemical waste leakage from the processing plant into the Qarasu River, harmful dust and chemicals penetrating the territory of Azerbaijan by water. 

8. The Qaraberd Gold Mine

The discharge of chemical waste from the processing plant into the Debed River causes pollution of the Kura River.

Due to the fact that the operation of the mine does not comply with the contemporary environmental requirements the residents of the area still have to live in harsh conditions.

9. 10. The Meghradzor Mine LLC, CJSC

Hydrometeological monitoring center of the Armenian Ecology Ministry reports that the mouth of the Marmank River, which connects to the Araz River, is polluted with vanadium, Iron, barium and potassium.

Harmful chemical waste released into the water from active mines poses a serious hazard to the water resources of Azerbaijan.

11. Hankasar mine

The mine is not functional due to technical reasons. In order to use full-cycle water for the operation of the ore processing plant the Qazangolchay River was exposed to pollution.

Local residents report that the water is milk-white and smells very bad. After the mine stopped to operate it became possible to use the water.

12. AKHTALA MINING AND PROCESSING ENTERPRISE CJSC

According to the Environmental Risk model of EcoLur, the mine’s hazard category is 3. Excessive concentration of copper, lead, zinc and sulfur in the mine and exceeding the norm negatively affect human health as well as the environment.

Resulted from the explosive operation of quarries in the mine, harmful dust is emitted through the air and chemical waste dumped from the processing plant into the Debed River penetrating the territory of Azerbaijan by water.

13. “GEOPROMINING GOLD” LLC

Although there is no river bed in the direction of Azerbaijan passing near the mine, improper operation of the mine and harmful dust released into the air from the processing plant pose serious negative risks to its ecology.

14. Amulsar gold-containing quartzite mine

The mining area is located above the tunnel that supplies water to Sevan – the largest freshwater lake in the Caucasus. Chemicals seeping into the lake through the mine’s acid drainage pose a major risk to the lake.

15. Agarak copper-molybdenum mine

Mining waste containing heavy metals from the Agarak Copper and Molybdenum plant poisons the Araz River through the Karchevan River.

16. Teghout copper-molybdenum mine

The Danish State Agency has decided to withdraw export credit guarantees for a $62 million investment in Armenia’s second-largest copper mine, accusing the private owner of the company of non-compliance with environmental standards.

Samples from the water contained heavy metals and toxic elements.

17.  Kajaran Copper and Molybdenum Mine

In order to expand the mine, local residents are being evicted from their lands.

Environmental degradation due to the impact of mine still continues, the high level of toxicity in the Okchuchay River causes mass mortality of fish.

18. Aygedzor copper-molybdenum mine

The activities in the mine which do not meet environmental requirements, cause great disasters to the flora and fauna of Azerbaijan. Thus, harmful dust particles and chemical substances released into the river waters as a result of mine exploitation have a negative impact on the environment through the Araz River.

All waste materials are dumped into the Megri River.

As per EcoLur’s Ecological Risk Model, the mine’s hazard category is 3, which means that it is considered catastrophic due to the presence of copper, molybdenum and sulfur in the mine.

19, 20. Lichkvaz-Tey gold mine; Lichk copper mine

The mine is considered disastrous for human health and the environment due to excessive concentrations of copper, lead, arsenic and zinc.

The ore refining plant, which is planned to be built in the mining area, will pose a serious threat to the environment.

21. Mghart gold mine

The entry of chemical waste from the mining and processing by waterways to the territory of Azerbaijan is a serious threat to ecology. The non-compliance of mining exploitation with environmental requirements causes environmental pollution.

Discharge of chemical waste from the mine into the Debed River causes the pollution of the Kura River.

22. Sofi Binay gold-multi-metal mine

Discharge of chemical substances from the mining into the Arpachay River enter the territory of Azerbaijan by waterways.

23. Copper-molybdenum mine of Dastakert

The waste left behind from exploration works around the mine penetrates the river waters that adversely affects the environment of Azerbaijan.

Dastakert settlement in Syunik region has an impression of a ghost town. Half-destroyed buildings, infrastructure of the former mining complex turned industrial buildings into ruins.

24. Hrazdan iron mine

The operation of the mine, which does not comply with the environmental requirements, creates a serious risk for the ecology of Azerbaijan by waterways.

Local residents are strongly against the operation of this mine. Explosives are used to extract iron from the depths of the mine, which seriously worries local residents.

25. Tukhmanuk gold mine

Activity of the mine does not comply with the environmental requirements, dumping of chemical waste into the river.

In addition to the chemical waste in the mine, other sources of pollution are the industrial dumps that release heavy and ecotoxic elements (arsenic, antimony, lead, cadmium, copper, manganese, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, tin) caused by gold mining into the environment.

26. Marjan gold-multi-metal mine

Unrecycled landfills generated as a result of exploration and geoexploration works in the territory of the mine, affect cleanliness of the nearby rivers, and entering the territory of Azerbaijan by water affects the environment.