Foremost mining companies across the globe adopt socially responsible policy which implies active participation of the companies in social-economic and cultural life of the communities adjacent to the mines.

It's a new phenomenon in Armenia among mining companies which in fact for the first time is introduced by Geoteam, the Armenian subsidiary of British Lydian International, which is going to exploit Amulsar gold mine.

On April 9, Geoteam opened "Amulsar Information Center" in Gndevaz village adjacent to the mine (marz of Vayots Dzor) where all the interested persons will be able to get information on the mine and details of its operation.

"As a responsible company, we want all the information on the mine to be available to you. You can find all the answers to questions on the mine", said General Director of Geoteam Hayk Aloyan at the opening ceremony adding that the Center will operate till the end of the mine exploitation.

He noted that the interested persons can leave all the questions they are concerned about in the box placed in the center and the company is going to answer them within 2 working days.

The Center has printed materials on ecological and social management systems, pile processing, information on cyanide and how the cyanide is going to be used in Amulsar.

The Center also has general information on Lydian International's entry to Armenia and its Armenian subsidiary Geoteam as well as the development programs of the latter implemented in Gndevaz, Gorayk and Saravan villages as well as in the town of Jermuk.

Till now, Geoteam has allocated USD360thousand to implementation of social programs in the above mentioned communities (the company's partners - USD88.4thousand more).

In particular, the school and roads in Gorayk were reconstructed, Saravan was provided with natural gas and recovered irrigation system. The company helped 50 households to use new technologies in growing fruit and vegetables, provided healthcare services to 765 people, covers tuition fees of 11 students from 3 communities etc. The company has become the major employer of the communities employing 150 residents.

The images also show the Gndevaz kindergarten which didn't work formerly and which was reconstructed by Geoteam.