Epress.am News from Armenia
A protest is planned for 3 pm on May 26 outside the Chinese Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, the main purpose of which is to establish a connection with the Chinese company that is a shareholder in iron mining in Hrazdan and submit a letter on the matter to the ambassador.
Protestors will be asking the ambassador to convey the Armenian public’s concerns to the company directors. The group also wants to convey to the company directors (again, through the Chinese ambassador) findings from independent expert research, according to the website organize-now.am run by a group of youth activists in cooperation with the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights.
The protest outside the embassy is organized by the Aarhus public ecological information center in Hrazdan and a number of local NGOs.
The company, Fortune Oil, which manages operations in oil and gas supply and infrastructure projects in China, reported in January 2011 that it had acquired a 35 percent stake in Armenian iron ore miner Bounty Resources Armenia, which controls three iron mines, for $24 million, Reuters had reported earlier this year. It plans to increase its stake to 50 percent, paying an additional $16 million.
The three iron ore mines are located in the Armenian towns of Hrazdan and Abovyan and the village of Svarants.The mine is Hrazdan, which is planned to be developed first, contains high quality iron ore with 40 percent iron concentration.
Local daily Aravot had reported on Mar. 15 that residents of Hrazdan’s 5th district were being approached and asked for their signature, if they agreed to leave their homes.
“Prior to extorting signatures from residents, Fortune Oil company representatives didn’t even hold public hearings, nor did they present a plan to the residents on exploiting the mine and building a factory, as is required by law in such cases. According to the residents, they understand very well that a soft pillow is being placed under their heads as if their homes will be purchased under the best conditions, but they are sure that when the time comes they will be deceived and forcibly removed, as usually happens in our country in such cases,” reported the daily.