About 50 demonstrators gathered outside the RA Government Building in Yerevan yesterday afternoon to protest what they call "the destructive and exploitative" commercial mining operations in Armenia.

Olya Ayvazyan, one of the demonstrators, summed up her feelings by saying, "The situation in the country is terrible."

Carrying signs calling for an end to unbridled mining in Armenia and the destruction of the environment, the protestors also sported photos of those Armenian government officials and other businessman who they claim to be raking in the profits at the expense of the country's future health and wellbeing.

The demonstration was jointly organized by the organization Transparency International and a civic group called "Bicycle".

Aram Harutyunyan, Armenia's Minister of the Environment, soon approached the crowd to give the government's side of the story.

He stated that Armenian must utilize its natural resources but not at the expense of the country's environment.

"We must employ the most up-to-date technology to minimize all risks to the environment," Minister Harutyunyan told reporters.

Levon Barseghyan, President of the Gyumri-based Asbarez Club, also showed up to support the demonstrators. His views differed substantially with those voiced by the minister.

"Problems associated with mining are literally eating up Armenia," Barseghyan said.

The demonstrators then called for the immediate resignation of all government officials allowing for the rape and pillage of the land.