Media Coverage of Air Quality in Armenia

Inspection body clarifies situation after Hetq report on landfill in Jrvezh (machine translation)

The Environmental Protection and Subsoil Inspection Body commented on a Hetq report about smoke from the landfill in Jrvezh, which, according to the article’s headline, is reaching residential neighborhoods. The agency said that its inspection of the landfill is ongoing.

The inspection body initiated an inspection at the site, operated by Ankolo LLC, on October 12, following letters from government agencies and appeals from citizens. It promised to provide further information about the results after the inspection is complete.

Read the full article on hetq.am →

AMD 2.78 million in fines and suspensions of operations in Gegharkunik and Lori: Environmental Protection and Subsoil Inspection Body (machine translation)

The Environmental Protection and Subsoil Inspection Body identified violations of environmental legislation in the Gegharkunik and Lori regions. The operations of three companies were suspended by decisions of the heads of the body’s territorial departments.

According to the body, the violations involved basalt extraction without emission limits, operation of a concrete plant without an environmental conclusion or an emissions permit, and abstraction of water from the Debed River and discharge of industrial wastewater into it without a water-use permit. The companies’ directors were fined a total of AMD 2.78 million.

Read the full article on hetq.am →

Armenia explains how the environmental impact of Amulsar will be monitored (machine translation)

Environmental monitoring at the Amulsar deposit will be conducted in two ways: specialists from Lydian Armenia will carry out internal monitoring, while government agencies will provide oversight and conduct periodic inspections. Once the mine begins operating, water and air quality, among other indicators, will be monitored regularly and compared with baseline data.

Gnel Sanosyan, the Armenian government’s representative at the company, said international specialists are being brought in to study environmental issues. The project has prompted protests by environmentalists and local residents, who fear contamination of the water resources of Jermuk and Lake Sevan.

According to Sanosyan, the site will be reclaimed and revegetated after the mine closes. The company has also pledged to pay communities $7 million a year during construction and $9 million a year once operations begin. Based on current reserve estimates, mining could continue until 2038.

Read the full article on newsarmenia.am →

Residents complain about dust from demolition of the Main Post Office building on Saryan Street (machine translation)

Residents of homes near the Main Post Office building being demolished on Saryan Street complain of loud noise and dust that, they say, makes it impossible to open their windows. Aida A., who lives near the construction site, says that no protective mesh has been installed, the demolition site is no longer being watered, and the wind is spreading dust from piles of accumulated construction debris.

A 40-story World Trade Center business center, costing $212 million, is planned for the site. The complex will have a total area of 123,000 square meters. The resident also expressed concern about the trees in the surrounding area. The construction site has been designated as an area of overriding public interest, and residents have been asked to leave their homes.

Read the full article on news.am →

A “Dust Waterfall” from Unfinished Buildings: How Much It Costs to Pollute the Air (machine translation)

Yerevan resident Lusine Mkrtchyan filmed dust pouring down from unfinished buildings owned by ML Mining in Avan, next to the fields of the Football Academy where children train. The construction site is located about 300 meters from the academy, and this case shows how visible the problem of construction dust remains in the city.

Yerevan Municipality requires developers to use dust-catching nets, water cannons, dust suppression devices, store materials in enclosed areas, and install air quality monitoring equipment. Previously, fines ranged from 70,000 to 100,000 drams, which the municipality considered disproportionate to the costs of complying with the standards; as of August 29, 2026, a first violation carries a fine of 1.5–2 million drams, a repeat violation within a year carries a fine of 3–4 million drams, and work may be suspended for 5, 10, or up to 30 working days.

On the municipality’s page for the ML Mining construction site near the Football Academy, no air quality monitoring device was listed, and the video shows incomplete equipment. Ruben Khojayan, deputy head of the Urban Planning and Land Control Department, said that a water cannon, nets, and a connected online sensor had previously been recorded at this address, and called what was seen in the video unacceptable; after an inspection, the municipality provided photographs showing that, as of September 11, 2026, the site was equipped with nets and a water cannon.

Read the full article on hetq.am →

“The Inspectorate Distorts the Facts: “ML Mining” Continued Polluting the Air After Being Fined” on hetq.am →

Two major Syunik mining companies respond to study by Czech NGO Arnika (machine translation)

The Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine and the Kapan Mining and Processing Plant have responded to the findings of the Czech organization Arnika on environmental pollution and the impact of heavy metals in the Kapan and Kajaran areas. The study was accompanied by recommendations for authorities, communities, and companies, including the installation of publicly accessible real-time air quality monitors, dust suppression measures, and the greening of tailings dam surfaces.

ZCMC, through its head of public relations, Araik Margaryan, questioned the methodology, the selection and storage of samples, as well as the export of biological samples to the Czech Republic, stating that the work does not meet the criteria for reliable scientific conclusions. David Danielyan, the general director of the Kapan MPP, also described the analysis as lacking a standard comparative methodological basis and said that some of the proposals are already reflected in current regulations; the company claims that it had proposed to Arnika representatives in Syunik and residents of Geghanush to compare monitoring data, but received no response.

Read the full article on hetq.am →

Avinyan announces winner of Nubarashen waste plant tender (machine translation)

Yerevan’s mayor said a consortium of Chinese, Arab and Armenian companies had won the tender. The scope of work still needs to be agreed and contracts signed.

Read the full article on azatutyun.am →

“Consortium selected for Yerevan waste processing plant” on civilnet.am →

“Tender winner to finance waste plant construction” on panorama.am →

“A1+ publishes video of Avinyan’s waste plant tender announcement” on a1plus.am →

Environmental Provisions in the Armenian Government’s 2026–2031 Program (machine translation)

On August 25, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the government program for 2026–2031, which includes a separate section devoted to environmental policy. The government defines its goals as the effective management of natural resources, the conservation of biodiversity, and the reduction of negative impacts on the environment, while also linking this course to Armenia’s upcoming presidency of COP17 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity starting in October 2026.

The environmental section includes the harmonization of legislation with EU directives, the development of climate policy and economic mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including a carbon pricing system. Also planned are a nationwide air quality monitoring system with 16 modern stations and a reference laboratory, the expansion of 24/7 radiation monitoring, limiting water abstraction from the Ararat artesian basin to 926 million cubic meters per year, ecosystem-based management of Lake Sevan, about 10,000 hectares of afforestation and reforestation, the digitalization of environmental permits, and the strengthening of environmental education.

Read the full article on ecolur.org →

EU and UN launch €2.47 million air quality monitoring program in Armenia (machine translation)

The European Union, UN agencies, and the Government of Armenia officially launched the EU4Clean Air in Armenia program on August 19, aimed at modernizing the national air quality monitoring system and strengthening pollution control. The project will run until February 2029; the EU’s contribution is €2 million, with a total budget of around €2.47 million.

The program is being implemented by UNDP, WHO, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the Environment Agency Austria in cooperation with Armenian government bodies. Plans include installing at least two new monitoring stations in line with EU technical requirements, establishing a National Reference Laboratory, developing data collection and analysis, training specialists, and launching an air quality portal and mobile application.

Read the full article on arka.am →

“EU and UN Launch Air Quality Monitoring Modernization Program in Armenia” on newsarmenia.am →

“EU and UN partners launch initiative in Armenia to improve air quality” on news.am →

Yerevan construction sites fined 1.7 million drams for dust emissions (machine translation)

The Nature Protection and Subsoil Inspection Body found violations of air quality regulations at construction sites in various administrative districts of Yerevan. Following inspections conducted from July 27 to August 13, businesses were fined a total of 1.7 million drams.

The inspections were carried out to reduce dust emissions, including in response to complaints from residents. Dust-control equipment was not used during grinding, sites were not watered in warm weather, piles of sand were left uncovered, and fencing was missing in some places. Work in violation of the regulations was suspended, administrative reports were drawn up for the violations, and monitoring is ongoing.

Read the full article on ecolur.org →