Canada Joined Teghut Activists

Today at 11:30 p.m. we may follow online the protest actions organized in Toronto in defense of Teghut environmental action. We can do so by following link - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/environmental-and-social-justice-in-armenia-presented-by-ayf-canada.

Teghut is in Lori marz of Armenia. It is the most well-preserved forest of Armenia and one of the wealthiest metal mines of the country. The mineral resources count 453 million 800 thousand tons: copper 1 million 600 thousand tons, molybdenum 99 thousand tons. Teghut and Shnogh villages with population of 3600 are located in the vicinity of this area as well.

In 2001 with the RA government decision Armenia Cooper Program LTD received a 25-year-long license of exploitation. This is a company, which 19,3% of stocks belong to a Russian citizen Valery Mejlumyan. And 80,8% of the stocks belong to Valex FM International, which is registered in Lichtenstein. The names of the owners of the company are not publicized.

For over six years now, Armenian environmental activists have been struggling for the protection of Teghut. So far no tangible results have been achieved but over the course of years the activists have succeeded to make the issue more vocal and vital and thus transmit its visibility outside the borders of Armenia.

Teghut movement is supported by prominent people of art and culture – Hrachya Matevosyan, Yervand Manaryan, Sos Sargsyan, Serj Tankian, Vardan Petrosyan, Ashot Adamyan, Sergey Danielyan, Forsh, Tigran Khzmalyan, Anna Mayilyan, Mko, Yegor Glumov and others.