Environmentalists are worried about AT-Metals's plans to develop Meghrasar gold field in the territory of Arevik National Park.
Head of Ecolur NGO Inga Zarafyan told ArmInfo that Arevik was created in 2009 and is home to 1,500 plants and 245 animals, including leopard, Armenian mouflon, Syrian brown bear and Persian wild goat.
Meanwhile, AT-Metals is planning to use opencast technology, which means noise and heavy-metal dust. "This project is contrary to a number of environmental laws. Even if approved, it will not stop being illegal," Zarafyan said.
On Oct 28 the project was heard by the public but it has not yet been approved by the environment protection authorities.