Mining association urges tighter NGO oversight

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Mining and Metallurgy Association (AMMA) has voiced deep concern over the activities of certain foreign organizations, specifically targeting the Czech NGO Arnika for its operations in Armenia.

“The impression is that this organization is determined to portray Armenia’s mining sector as the region’s main polluter, while ignoring other countries, especially Azerbaijan,” the statement reads.

AMMA is calling for stricter oversight of foreign NGOs operating in Armenia.

According to the association, its review of Arnika’s publications raises serious concerns over the quality of the work, the lack of transparency, and the true objectives of the research. While affirming the importance of independent environmental studies, AMMA stressed that such work must comply with Armenian law, scientific ethics, and transparency standards, and should serve the interests of Armenian citizens alone.

AMMA noted that Arnika, with support from local NGOs funded by international grants, recently conducted biological sampling in Syunik Province, collecting samples from soil, water, and even citizens, without adequate oversight or transparency.

“Setting aside the political and geopolitical motivations and potential consequences of such selective activity, we must address the serious professional shortcomings,” the statement continues.

According to AMMA, Arnika’s publications lack detailed information on sampling procedures, metrics, control mechanisms, data verification methods, and scientific justifications for its conclusions.

“Such research requires years of data collection, identification of all potential contamination sources, comparative analysis, seasonal and geographic monitoring over time, and scientifically grounded arguments to identify the real causes and sources of pollution. This is a long-term endeavor.”

AMMA argued that no professional organization could credibly conduct a study over a few days and produce valid conclusions, suggesting that Arnika’s methods may serve other goals.

Especially concerning, the association said, is that Arnika’s unverified findings are actively cited by Azerbaijani media and propaganda outlets, fueling accusations that Armenia is causing environmental damage in the region. This pattern, AMMA argued, raises serious questions about the intent and possible political use of these so-called studies.

AMMA is calling on Armenian state agencies to take note of the issue. It emphasized that the collection and export of biological and environmental samples, particularly human biological materials, must be subject to strict state control, legal regulation, and full transparency.

The statement posed a rhetorical question: “Would the Czech Republic allow Armenian NGOs to collect biological samples from its citizens, say, around coal mines, and export them abroad without supervision, methodology, or clear intent, only to be used in unscientific publications that damage the country's reputation and key industries?” Such a practice, it stated, would be unacceptable in any country.

The association reiterated its demand for stricter controls on foreign NGOs in Armenia, especially in cases involving unsupervised biological and environmental sampling, which it claims results in speculative and damaging narratives that undermine Armenia’s national interests.