Yerevan/Mediamax/. Lydian International announced that it has received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for open-pit mining and location of the waste dump facility at Amulsar.

Under the terms of the EIA approval Lydian must:

- Submit to the Ministry of Nature Protection an EIA for planned mine-closure activities;
- During the mine operation regularly monitor the quality of water flows which form part of the Lake Sevan catchment area
- During the mine operation regularly monitor radiation levels;
- Be guided in accordance with Article 26 of the Armenian Code on Mineral Resources in-case of the presence or subsequent identification of any Armenian Red-Book species of flora and fauna in the area;
- On issues related to the location of the gold plant be guided by the Law on Lake Sevan (ensure no activity detrimental to the Lake Sevan ecosystem);
- Retain an international independent consultant endorsed by the Ministry of Nature Protection to independently review the Company’s ESIA with particular attention on issue pertaining to Lake Sevan, the Jermuk township and protection of any Armenian Red-Book species in the area.

Lydian is committed to working with the Armenian authorities and with civil society on ensuring all environmental safeguards are in place and that the Amulsar project is an exemplary world-class gold mine meeting the highest international standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The project, in particular the heap leach pads and the waste dumps, has been engineered in a way to prevent any seepage from these facilities. Secondary and even tertiary containment systems and protection measures to prevent any spills are integrated in the feasibility study (FS). Lydian is in the process of finalising a comprehensive ESIA in line with international best practice (Equator Principles). The Company will arrange a number of public consultation events for ESIA disclosure with all key stakeholders on site, in the surrounding communities and in Yerevan.

“This is a very important and positive step in the mine permitting process” said Tim Coughlin, Lydian’s President and CEO. “The increase in resource potential at Amulsar, the ESIA process and FS level design has significantly raised the profile of the project. This EIA approval has been the subject of three public hearings and one discussion and of intensive and thorough interaction with the Armenian authorities, local communities and members of civil society. The process has allowed all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the project, to convey their interest, to raise questions and to have any concerns duly addressed. We remain committed to positively engaging with all stakeholders and to building an exemplary mine that Armenia, our local communities and the Company can be proud of.”  --0--