Friday, 19 August 2016
PM Attends Amulsar Gold Deposit Launching Ceremony
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan attended Amulsar gold deposit launching ceremony in Vayots-Dzor Marz. TheUSD370 million-worth Amulsar project is among the largest international investment projects in Armenia (2016-2018). 1,300 people will be engaged in the active stage of the project. During its 10-year-long operations, Lydian Armenia, the local subsidiary of the UK-based Lydian International will ensure 700 jobs.
Amulsar is the first mining project in Armenia to have implemented environmental and social impact assessment in line with the standards developed by the International Finance Corporation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Welcoming the guests, Prime Minister Abrahamyan noted that the Armenian government is keen to develop the mining sector with a focus on the need to ensure conservation and efficient use of natural resources.
“We attach great importance to this largest foreign investment project, which is supposed to provide for the development of the mining industry and trigger economic growth. From the very first day, we have expressed full support for the Amulsar project. We are confident that the construction will be successfully completed over the next two years. We have come a long way, we have had the objective and subjective difficulties, but what matters most is the launch of the project itself, for which I am happy as the head of government,” Hovik Abrahamyan said and highlighting this major project.
Welcoming the commitment of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Amulsar project will create new opportunities for Armenia’s economic development, new jobs and will help solve our people’s social and economic problems.
Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the implementation of international standards-compliant environmental and social impact assessment and the proposed use of state-of-the-art technologies.
Lydian International CEO Howard Stevenson offered his congratulations on the launch of a new and important phase of the project and thanked the Government of Armenia for trust and continued support.
The event was attended by members of the Government, representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations, other dignitaries.
Prime Minister Abrahamyan took the opportunity to visit the border community of Khndzorut in Vayots-Dzor Marz. The Premier met with the locals, listened to their concerns and answered their questions.
Hovik Abrahamyan stressed that border communities are the primary focus of his government, and the State will continue to develop and implement job-extensive infrastructure projects.
