"There is no reason for concern", Ecology Minister told residents of Seyudlu

Baku/22.06.23/Turan: Members of the governmental commission formed to assess the environmental impact of the gold mining venture in Gedabey visited today the village of Sayudlu and met with local residents.

Head of the commission, Environment Minister Mukhtar Babayev said that the members of the commission inspected the pond where acidic residue after chemical cleaning is discharged from the mine and the surrounding area.

The commission conducted measurements with special equipment to conduct monitoring.

"These devices are used to analyse samples from the ground, air and water. We measured the atmospheric air around the village with special devices. No hazardous substances were detected. The parameters of industrial gases in the air are normal. No traces of cyanide were found in the atmosphere. There is no reason for your concern," Babayev said.

According to him, soil and water samples will also be analysed in a special laboratory and the results will be presented to the public.

He said that in general it would be studied how negatively the lake affects the environment and health of local residents.

The Minister also stressed that industrial activities will be investigated. "If there is any harm, measures will be taken to minimize it," Babayev said.

The Minister believes that the enterprise should educate the people of the villages around the plant.

"The Minister held a meeting at the clubhouse with a limited number of residents. People who can directly express our demands were not allowed to attend the meeting. If a second lake is built, the villagers will lose their pasture and livelihood," said a resident of the village.

She pointed out that the police have taken control of all entrances to the villages and no outsiders are allowed here. -03B06-