Alaverdi Copper Smelting Company, belonging to “Vallex” Company Group, has been operating years without any filters thus emitting into atmosphere sulfuric anhydride, heavy metals and compounds toxic for human organisms. About 25,000 tons of sulfuric anhydride had been emitted till 2011. With the funds of the European Reconstruction and Development Bank “Vallex” Company Group it obtained filters for extracting sulfuric anhydride, but hasn’t placed them so far explaining with low production rates and absence of sulfuric acid market. What about heavy metals and dust, they are still kept on being discussed...“If we can put electrofilters in the chimney, we will reduce the emission of heavy metals into atmosphere by 98% and inorganic dust, which spreads into the air reservoir of the town, will also get reduced by 80-83%,” said Artak Demirtchyan, Lori Regional Municipality Environmental Department Head...[The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Alaverdi Copper Programme to respond. Alaverdi Copper Programme’s response is below.]