Lydian International is concerned that the petition launched by the Pan Armenian Environmental Front in opposition to the Amulsar project is based on misleading information...Amulsar will be the first mine in Armenia to be designed, built and operated in accordance with modern international best practice standards. This commitment, which reflects Lydian’s values, is underpinned by the financing requirements of two of our shareholders, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) whose participation is conditional upon the project implementing strict environmental and social standards...We have conducted a thorough and extensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)...The project has been designed to ensure that water sources will not be negatively impacted by our operations. All contact waters...will be managed according to the Contact Waters Management Plan to safeguard any and all surrounding water resources...Studies by local and international experts have also been carried out to show that possible impacts from noise, vibration and dust generated by the mine will be minimal due to the significant distance between the mine and the town of Jermuk (approximately 14km)...The ESIA also demonstrates that Lake Sevan, which is a precious national resource for Armenia and is located 40km from Amulsar, will not be impacted...Cyanide is used at gold mines in many countries...Cyanide does not pose significant risks provided rigorous management processes are in place. A cyanide management plan has been developed at Amulsar in line with the International Cyanide Management Code.