Mining is a risky business, fraught with hurdles. Exploration often comes up empty, investments are large, commodities are volatile. Moreover, there are large environmental and social risks associated with things like tailings, dams, and resettlement policies.
A risky business does not, however, mean that mining is or should be an irresponsible business. Many of these risks can be mitigated or eliminated. This requires proper policies, laws, regulations, careful implementation, and planning for life when the mine closes – all of this even before the mine opens.
Over the past few years, the World Bank has supported Armenia in developing a new mining code aligned with international standards. Read more in blog...
