In response to Aravot Daily’s question of how they would comment on President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s statement where he threatened to sue foreign companies if they do not compensate for mined gold and other minerals, the GeoProMining Gold company said that it does not wish to comment on Aliyev’s statement.
When asked if those responsible for the GeoProMining Gold company have studied whether or not Azerbaijan can present such a demand legally, the company once again responded that it does not wish to comment on any of Aliyev’s statements. GeoProMining Gold operates the Sotk mine, of which one portion passed under Azerbaijani control during the last Artsakh war. The mine is currently divided into two. One portion is in the Gegharkunik province, and the other is in the Azerbaijani-occupied Karvachar.
Ilham Aliyev’s statement particularly referred to the mines in Kovsakan and Karvachar of Artsakh. The Gold Star company’s gold mine in Kovsakan also passed under Azerbaijani control. Aravot Daily was unable to get into contact with anyone responsible for this company. The Vallex Group also did not comment on Aliyev’s statements, whose Base Metals CJSC operates the Kashen mine in Martakert, Artsakh. The activities of this mine also ceased for a long time due to the consequences of the war unleashed by Turkish-Azerbaijani forces. Although the Kashen mine and enrichment factory remained in Artsakh, the mine’s pumping station passed under Azerbaijani control, without which it is impossible to operate the mine. As a result, the Base Metals company and Artsakh’s budget suffered huge losses.
Lusine Budaghyan
