Local NGOs from Kapan expressed their serious anxiety with regard to the intentions of Deno Gold Mining Company to proceed to open-cast development of the Shahumyan gold-polymetallic mine. “We deeply fear that the project to be immediately rejected by the government, can be already agreed to by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources,” This is the thought expressed by Kapan-based “For Esuring Ecological Safety and Developing Democracy” NGO representative Artur Ghazaryan during an interview with Ecolur. He outlined that a part of Shahumyan mine is located in the territory of Kapan, Shahumyan Region. “Open cast development means explosions which will cover the town with dust containing the whole range of toxic elements. Even rhenium and zinc are sufficient to imagine what we are going to breathe. We can already see what’s going on in Kajaran where dust emanting from explosions at Kajaran mine developed by Zangezour Copper and Molybdenum Combine covers the city,” Ghazaryan said. Open cast development project will lead to serious social problems.  According to the corporate plan, production will increase by several times at open cast development and mine reserves will get exhausted in five or six years. This means the company will quickly get its profit and close down, while nearly 1000 employees currently employed at the company will become unemployed. Artur Ghazaryan doesn’t rule out that government may also have concealed intentions. “For example, after several years, to employ workers inuranium mines which the government intends to develop in Syunik thus leaving people without any other opportunity to earn their living," he said Artur Ghazaryan also said about 50,000 trees are supposed to be cut down in the project territory. These are orchards owned by Shahumyan region residents who are currently evicted. “EcoLur” Informational NGO