Zakir Ibrahimov met with local residents in Dashkasan

Zakir Ibrahimov, Chairman of the Executive Board of "AzerGold" Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC), met with residents who live adjacent to mining field in Dashkasan and work at Chovdar Integrated Regional Processing Area (CIRPA) of the Company.

The meeting held at CIRPA aimed to discuss the working conditions offered for the employees at site, the issues of common concern, as well as the identification of social needs within the framework of the Company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and the exchange of ideas regarding the future initiatives. 

Speaking at the event, the Chairman mentioned the work carried out by the Company in the field of environmental protection and provision of healthy and safe working conditions during the production and recovery activities in accordance with best international practice and standards. Pointing out the activities organized based on the principles of efficient use of natural resources, application of sustainable development concept and social responsibility, work with local residents, their employment, improvement of socio-economic status, education, access to health services, protection of biodiversity, development of sports, the Chairman said that systematic measures were implemented in these and other directions, as well.

Thus, within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility activities, the construction of a new modular building of the full secondary school of Gushchu settlement, the construction of the water pipeline to Chovdar and Chaikend villages and the commissioning of a new wellhead, the improvement of the water supply of Yukhari Dashkasan and Madanchi settlements, the reconstruction of mini-football, volleyball and basketball playgrounds in Dashkasan, launch of the regional Autism Center in Ganja, as well as the support towards the development of beekeeping were noted. The Chairman also brought into focus the regular meetings held by Corporate Social Responsibility Committee with the local communities living adjacent to the production areas, social surveys held among citizens from time to time. He also pointed out appropriate steps taken towards the investigation and resolution of appeals addressed by the residents within the framework of the country's legislation and the Social Impact and Responsibility Policy of the Company.

Most citizen appeals addressed to the Company are related to the purchase and sale of land plots within the implementation of mining projects in the administrative territory of Chovdar village of Dashkasan district and Tulallar village of Goygol district. It was noted that in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment document approved for the implementation of mining projects, as well as the Detailed Feasibility Study document prepared by international consulting companies, the appropriate steps are taken towards obtaining the rights of ownership and use for the private residential houses and land plots located in the mine and its sanitary protection zone. As a result of the analysis carried out by an independent appraiser engaged for the purpose of determining the market price of immovable properties, the process is under solution considering the interests of citizens and with reference to the relevant law. Thus, it was noted that the purchase and sale of immovable properties located outside the limits of the mine and its sanitary-protection zone in Tulallar village of Goygol region is not necessary. Besides, it affects the economic efficiency of the project.

As for the settlement located in the administrative area of Chovdar village and popularly called "Shadakh", it was mentioned that the residents of Yellija village, who were forcibly displaced from Kalbajar region, temporarily settled in that area. The area in question is located approximately 500 meters from the warehouse of the processing area, which is currently under construction. Environmental Impact Assessment document prepared for the project and approved by the State Environmental Expertise Agency of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on August 27, 2021 after public discussion, states that there is no danger to the population temporarily living in the area in question, but there are possible risks such as dust, noise, and vibration. Therefore, the issue of resettlement of IDPs temporarily settled in "Shadakh" territory was subject to review, but absence of the documents defining the ownership rights of the houses they lived in caused difficulties in the resettlement according to the legislation. However, the Company submitted relevant letters and held negotiations regularly with the State Committee for Refugees and Forced Displaced Persons, Dashkasan District Executive Authority and Kalbajar District Executive Authority, the State Committee for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as other relevant public authorities dealing with the issue of relocation of residents from that area.

At the meeting, the Chairman listened to the residents and gave instructions and recommendations on taking appropriate steps regarding the appeals, investigating the issues raised by citizens and solving them within the existing legislation.

The participants thanked to the Chairman for the meeting and expressed gratitude about the contributions of AzerGold to the socio-economic development, increase of employment, improvement of social welfare in Dashkasan region within the state policy.