The long-term occupation of Karabakh and surrounding regions did not only result in territorial losses. It is reported that during this period, the rich underground resources of the region were also extensively exploited. Mining activities in gold, copper, molybdenum, and other mineral deposits attracted attention not only with large economic revenues but also with their environmental impact.
Modern.az reminds that, according to official Azerbaijani data, during the occupation, the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the region, the circulation of extracted resources, and the involvement of business structures associated with foreign companies in this process were investigated.
Mining activities by Armenia were particularly carried out in resource-rich regions such as Kalbajar and Zangilan. Gizilbulag, Soyudlu, and Vejnali deposits were among the most prominent mines of that period. It is reported that the Gizilbulag copper-gold deposit in Kalbajar has been exploited since 2002, and the Soyudlu gold deposit since 2007. Various companies and foreign business structures are noted to have participated in the exploitation of these deposits.
301 million manats revenue from Vejnali deposit
One of the largest financial indicators of the issue is related to the Vejnali gold deposit in Zangilan region. According to Azerbaijani investigation data, "Base Metals" CJSC, operating in the deposit, illegally earned 301 million 918 thousand manats between 2009 and 2017. The company is presented as a structure associated with the "Vallex Group" group of companies registered in Switzerland. The investigation data states that this activity caused damage to the state and other legal entities. Thus, the Vejnali case has become one of the most concrete examples demonstrating the economic scale of mining activities in Karabakh.
Ruben Vardanyan and Vartan Sirmakes
One of the individuals named in the Vejnali case is Swiss citizen Vartan Sirmakes. According to the Azerbaijani investigation, Sirmakes was a financial investor of "Vallex Group". Valeriy Mejlumyan, head of Vallex Group, and Artur Mkrtumyan, executive director of "Base Metals", were also named as defendants in the same criminal case. The Azerbaijani side announced that international search warrants were issued for them and a request for legal assistance was made to the Swiss authorities. Information regarding these individuals is presented based on the charges brought in the criminal case, and the existence of a charge does not mean a final conviction by the court.
Ruben Vardanyan's name is also mentioned in connection with the exploitation of natural resources in Karabakh. Vardanyan has suspicious areas of activity and collaborations related to the exploitation of natural resources and environmental damage in Karabakh. His name has been mentioned in various official documents regarding economic activities in the region. It is no coincidence that Vardanyan's name is mentioned in the mining issue. The Azerbaijani side stated that he had connections with companies that participated in the previous exploitation of Karabakh's natural resources. Among these companies are "Vallex Group" and its subsidiary "Base Metals". Base Metals exploited the Drmbon mine in Karabakh since 2002, and later the Kashen deposit, becoming one of the largest taxpayers in the region.
Damage to nature
Another important aspect of mining activities in Karabakh is the environment. Large areas of soil and rock layers were excavated for the extraction of gold and copper ore, mining waste was generated, and ore processing was carried out. Such activities can affect soil and water resources, forests, and biodiversity if environmental standards are not adhered to. Official Azerbaijani data states that mining activities carried out during the occupation damaged the ecological situation of the region. Subsequent investigations in the liberated territories also took into account individual mining areas and production facilities.
Financial trace left in Karabakh
The figure of 301 million 918 thousand manats announced for Vejnali is related to the exploitation of only one deposit. There is information about the exploitation of Gizilbulag, Soyudlu, and other deposits in Karabakh and surrounding regions at various times. Behind these activities were local and foreign companies, investors, and business structures connected with various countries. In the Vejnali example, companies and investors associated with Switzerland emerge, and mining activities appear to be linked not only regionally but also with international business relations. As a result, mines formed a separate economic line in the history of Karabakh's occupation period: the region's gold and other mineral resources were extracted, put into commercial circulation through companies, and this activity was accompanied by financial indicators of hundreds of millions of manats.
Today, the investigation of the condition of these mines in the liberated territories allows for a more accurate determination of both the volume of extracted wealth and the environmental damage caused by past activities. The documents that have emerged regarding the exploitation of Karabakh's underground resources show that it is not just about the operation of mines, but about a large economic activity that lasted for years and the company connections behind it.
Nicat Rustam
