While these efforts are encouraging, there are urgent and pressing issues around which more immediate actions are required – and two years is a long time to wait.
As the Armenian government inches forward in assessing its policies on mining, the Mining Legislative Reform Initiative (MLRI) [1] has, in recent years, commissioned several independent international and domestic experts to review and assess the environmental, economic, social and workers’ rights related impacts of mining in Armenia.
Many of these studies can be accessed on the MLRI website. These together with other major studies including by the World Bank provide a strong foundation for solid, scientifically backed and responsible mining policies in Armenia. However, there is one missing piece which is an essential ingredient for the development of comprehensive public policy; a substantial, transparent and inclusive stakeholder consultation process.
Since October 2018, MLRI has initiated a civil society consultation process with the aim of developing comprehensive mining policy recommendations. The process is transparent and inclusive of all relevant and interested civil society representatives, academics and local community groups. It is designed to allow all participants multiple opportunities to contribute, influence and shape a consensus-based responsible mining policy.
Many leading civil society groups in this area, including the Armenian Environmental Front, Civil Voice and EcoRight, as well as experts such as Yerevan State University’s Dr. Harutyun Movsisyan, and the American University of Armenia Center for Responsible Mining’s Alen Amirkhanian have already provided significant input into the ongoing development of the MLRI’s responsible mining policy.
Their contribution has brought to our attention a tidal wave of legitimate concerns, some of which are captured below: