The UK based mining company Lydian International will soon begin constructing the Amulsar mine in Armenia. Once fully operational, it will be the single largest mining operation in the country. The project has been promoted as an important step in Armenia’s economic development. However, many are sceptic about this promise and environmentalists argue that because of the mine’s proximity to key water resources, it poses a great environmental risk for the whole country. Furthermore, mining is one of the most corrupt industries in Armenia. The treaties on mining, that Armenia has signed with the EU, most notably the Aarhus Convention, theoretically prohibit this kind of criminal behaviour in the industry. However, the EU has done little to make sure Armenia is living up to the obligations it committed to. There is no incentive for them to do so, as European mining companies have greatly benefitted from the country’s lose regulations and corrupt government.
