Environment Ministry, "Armforest", and  ZCMC sign MoU  to  reduce  negative impact on  environment

ArmInfo.The Ministry of Environment of Armenia, the "Armforest" State Non-Commercial Organization, and the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC) CJSC have signed a memorandum of intent.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Environment, the  memorandum was signed by Deputy Minister of Environment Aram  Meymaryan, Acting Director of the "Armforest" State Non-Commercial  Organization (SNCO) Garegin Mirzoyan, and ZCMC Director for  Sustainable Development (CSO) Armen Stepanyan. Under this agreement,  the parties agreed to combine efforts to carry out reforestation and  afforestation work on an area of approximately 273 hectares, financed  by ZCMC,  to reduce negative environmental impacts and promote  ecosystem restoration.

According to the source, the cooperation also envisages joint  planning of reforestation and afforestation programs (tree planting -  ed.), selection of suitable areas with stakeholder involvement,  program development with the participation of industry experts,  exchange of information and progress reports, and implementation of  information and communication activities.

"By signing the memorandum, we will continue our joint path, with  ecology at its core. We must ensure the development of our country  not only through the mining industry, but also through joint  long-term environmental efforts. I am confident that the impact of  the programs implemented within the framework of this cooperation  will be felt not only in Syunik but also in the capital," the deputy  minister emphasized. 

It should be noted that Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC) is  the largest mining company in Armenia. The plant operates the Kajaran  copper-molybdenum deposit. The plant's ore reserves are approximately  150 years.