Environmental Activists: Andrian Gold Mine Pollution Threatens Arasbaran
A group of environmental activists from East Azerbaijan have called on the head of the judiciary to follow up on pollution from the Andrian gold mine in Varzaqan. The pollution from this gold mine, with cyanide compounds, was reported to pose a threat to underground reserves and natural resources of Arasbaran.
A number of environmental activists and organizations in East Azerbaijan released an open letter that was published by Iranian domestic news agencies on December 22, 2019, expressing concern about the escalating environmental pollution from the Andrian gold mine and the spread of these pollutants in the Arasbaran region. They emphasized that the continuation of these pollutants would lead to the destruction of the region’s natural resources and underground reserves.
Varzaqan is a mountainous region in East Azerbaijan province with Songgun copper and gold mines. The Andrian gold mine covers an area of 120 hectares. Some reports indicate it holds approximately 30 million tons of proven reserves of gold with a grade of five percent.
In the letter from environmental activists and organizations, serious concerns were raised about the “method” of exploiting this mine and the use of cyanide compounds. They stated that continuing this method of gold extraction would contaminate the water and soil resources of the Arasbaran region.
In this letter, improper mining activities and the use of cyanide compounds in gold extraction were identified as the main reasons for the pollution of natural resources and the infiltration of dangerous cyanide compounds into surface water, groundwater, and soil in the region.
Meanwhile, the student news website reported that Hamid Ghasemi, director general of environmental protection for East Azerbaijan, wrote about air pollution in the Varzaqan region, stating that the East Azerbaijan environmental protection department has granted permission for the Andrian gold mine to operate, but this permission is valid only as long as the mine’s activities cause no pollution.
Ghasemi also stated: “Over several years, the Andrian gold mine was unable to obtain an environmental assessment, which is why the environmental protection organization did not issue a permit for exploitation. However, after various intensive meetings at the environmental organization, it was decided that continuous monitoring and surveillance would be conducted at this mine.”
This official added: “At different times, waste and underground wells at this mine are strictly monitored, and if pollution is reported, the mine will certainly be shut down.”
The letter signers told the head of the judiciary that they had informed the East Azerbaijan environmental protection department and the crime prevention department of the judiciary’s social affairs about the critical situation of this gold mine, but their follow-ups have been “inconclusive.”
Cyanide, a Threat to Public Health
Another concern of these environmental activists is the damage to biodiversity in the pristine areas of Arasbaran and the threat to the health and public hygiene of residents in this region. The mixing of cyanide vapor with humid air causes air pollution in the region. At the same time, there have been reports of poisoning cases among workers and hospitalizations.
Unauthorized Extraction and the Rumor of “Handing Over the Mine to Foreigners”
Environmental pollution in the Varzaqan region is being discussed at a time when some reports indicate that 70 percent of shares of the Andrian gold mine have been handed over to a Georgian company. Official authorities have not confirmed or denied these reports so far.
“Unauthorized extraction” from the Andrian gold mine is another issue that IRNA addressed in a report in 2018, confirming these illegal extractions according to the governor of Varzaqan county.
Hasan Yahyavi, the former governor of Varzaqan county, stated that a number of individuals illegally and secretly enter this mine and extract “gold ore and rocks.” According to him, the law enforcement force of Varzaqan county has so far arrested several of these individuals and handed them over to the judicial authorities of the county.
Source: DW
