Integrating human health into environmental impact assessment of mineral projects: legal and institutional challenges in Armenia

Abstract

The focus of this paper will be on the social component, particularly legal and regulatory tools ensuring proper assessment of health impact of mining projects and to which extent they are integrated into the general EIA framework. Emerging health issues in mining communities as evidenced by various studies and researches in the field indicate poor health management and associated risk assessment by mining companies and relevant state bodies”. As a relatively new public policy concept HIA still needs to be communicated and properly elaborated among all stakeholders, state officials, community villagers, politicians, health and environmental professionals, private sector, as well as NGOs, etc. The importance and actuality to understand how past and future mining activities negatively affect the human health of the local communities should be highly evaluated. It is also necessary to study the international best practices from developed countries. This thesis paper will study the experience of Poland, Sweden and Germany concerning HIA and will offer a methodology of HIA as a valuable tool to assist decision makers in policy development and law making processes with the aim of protecting fundamental constitutional rights of each person to live in an environment favorable to his or her health. In addition, the recommendations on legislative changes are also expected to reduce the adverse effects of mining activity on the ecosystem and promote a more environmentally and socially responsible mining industry. The research question raised in the paper can be divided into two sub-questions: a) What are the legislative and institutional challenges in implementation of HIA, and b) What are the recommendations to address the identified challenges? This research can be a useful reference both in terms of legal assistance for policy-makers and drafters of legislation in improving the effectiveness of national environmental legislation and technical assistance in implementing necessary improvements in national laws.