About the project
The Amulsar gold mine, Armenia’s second-largest gold deposit, has been the subject of years of environmental protests and legal challenges, with concerns over potential contamination of the Jermuk spa town and Lake Sevan. Already during the construction phase, the project caused significant pollution and problems for the local communities.
The International Financial Corporation (IFC) was one of the main shareholders, but eventually withdrew financing in 2017. In August 2020 also the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development terminated its funding. However, the government is still seeking new investors and the project might still be going ahead.
About the community-led struggle
“Green Armenia” is an environmental NGO founded in 2019, which works to document environmental and human rights violations, conducts advocacy, and support communities impacted by harmful development projects. In Amulsar, it supported the local community in organizing a nation-wide campaign which eventually led to the withdrawal of funding for the mine. With CRE support, Green Armenia has also been monitoring and documenting the court cases against the criminalized defenders.