Armenia: Social and ecological problems of Odzun enlargened community discussed, 3 December 2021

Enlarged community Odzun in Lori Region has a number of social and environmental problems, such as a lack of jobs, environmental pollution due to mining infrastructure, and deteriorating health of the population...[A] meeting was held in Odzun within the framework of "Socio-Ecological Responsibility" project to discuss these problems and suggestions for their solution or mitigation, and the implementation of alternative community development programs...

Enlarged Odzun community includes Odzun, Amoj, Aygehat, Ardvi, Artsatsag, Tsater, Karmir Aghek, Hagvi, and Mghart settlements. Out of the registered residents in the community, only 3408 are employed, whose main occupation is cattle-breeding and agriculture...

"Multi Group Concern" LLC operates in the territory of Odzun Community...The company's infrastructure is the main polluter of the settlement. The operations of Mghart gold mine has led to the chemical pollution of the community areas, the violation of the locals’ rights to a healthy environment...

The other polluter in Odzun Community is the landfill dump about 1.4 km northwest of Hagvi village, which was formed as a result of shallow, underground mountain excavations at Hagvi copper mine. The tails waste accumulated in the area is considered as ownerless. These landfills are sources of soil, surface and groundwater pollution.

The other potential polluter was Alaverdi copper smelter for many years: its emissions reached Odzun through winds...

The participants of the meeting voiced the need for reconstruction of the irrigation network for access to clean and safe water for the development of agriculture. It turned out that 60% of the land is currently not irrigated...