Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia has granted to Geoteam CJSC, Lydian International’s 100% owned subsidiary, Mining Right for the Amulsar Gold Project.

This represents the final stage of the mining permitting process and grants the Company the right to develop the Amulsar Project in line with the parameters detailed in the feasibility study.

The approval covers:

- all project infrastructure, including the location for crushers, the conveyor and heap leach facility;
- a mining permit applicable to the pits;
- definition of the area within which operating activities may take place;
- a mining agreement that outlines the nature and duration of mining operations.

Granting of the Mining Right follows an extensive application, consultation, and review process.

Previously, Lydian received approval of its environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Armenian government’s Ministry of Nature Protection, acting under the Armenian Mining Code and EIA Law, based on expert reviews and public discussions. In parallel, the Ministry of Emergency Situations approved the Technical Safety Program (TSP.

Howard Stevenson, President and CEO Lydian International, said “The previous EIA and TSP approvals, and now this most recent approval of the Mining Right, were the subjects of intensive and thorough interaction with the Armenian authorities, local communities, members of civil society, and others. Thank you to all who participated in this process. We look forward to a long working relationship within Armenia as this project progresses into construction and production. Lydian intends that Amulsar will become an exemplary mining and investment project in Armenia, beneficial both for the country and for our investors. Lydian is committed to implementing best international practices at Amulsar by complying with IFC and the EBRD environmental and social standards throughout the project’s duration.”

Hayk Aloyan, General Manager of Geoteam CJSC, said “Amulsar is around US$420 million investment project that represents tangible opportunities for economic benefits for the country and the adjacent communities. It will offer around 1500 jobs during the two years of construction and over 700 permanent jobs for at least 10 years of operation. Amulsar also highlights an opportunity to develop a mining project in Armenia in line with industry best practice, with world-class environmental and social management that will benefit the country and the communities around the project. We believe that Armenia can have a modern and well managed mining industry that will contribute greatly to the well-being of its citizens. We are looking forward for productive cooperation with the communities and all stakeholders across Armenia to be able to make this project a successful investment, beneficial for our country”.