Armenia's inspection body probes tailings pipeline incident at ZCMC

Armenia's Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body has initiated official proceedings concerning the tailing pipeline accident at Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine CJSC (ZCMC).

"Proceedings were initiated on the very first day of the pipeline incident. We are currently conducting an inspection," said Hovhannes Martirosyan, head of the Inspection Body, in response to EcoLur’s inquiry during the meeting with representatives of civil society organizations and active citizens held on 10 July.

“Our inspection team is currently on-site. Once we have the results, we will determine whether any damage has occurred. If so, we will submit an official report. The incident lasted for about 30 minutes. We’ve sent samples to the laboratory to determine whether or not any waste actually reached the river,” Martirosyan added.

The tailings pipeline in question, which connects Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine to Artsvanik tailing dump, failed on June 4.