Following media reports published by Hetq concerning the Jrvezh landfill, correspondence received from state authorities, and complaints submitted by citizens, the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body conducted an inspection at the landfill operated by Ankolo LLC in Jrvezh. The inspection revealed several serious violations of environmental legislation.

In particular, it was established that the Company operates two community-owned land plots, measuring 1 ha and 2 ha respectively, under lease agreements concluded with the Jrvezh Community Municipality of Kotayk Province.

The inspection revealed the following violations:

• On the 1 ha plot, the Company carried out waste levelling and burial activities for the purpose of establishing waste management infrastructure (a landfill), without obtaining a positive expert assessment conclusion as required by the RA Law “On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expertise”.
• The Company failed to fully comply with the requirements of the previously issued positive expert assessment conclusion concerning the operation of the other 2 ha plot. In particular:
1. Incoming waste was not consistently compacted and covered with an insulating soil layer of 0.25 metres as required; these procedures were only partially implemented.
2. The landfill lacked facilities for collecting and removing rainwater and leachate. The operation of washing equipment was also not ensured.
• The Company failed to submit the annual hazardous waste report (Form No. 1-Waste) in accordance with the prescribed procedure and within the established deadline.
• The inspection also established that a 1,404 sq. m agricultural land plot located within the administrative boundaries of Jrvezh village had been filled and levelled with waste, causing damage to land resources.

Given that the Company had carried out activities without the required positive environmental impact assessment conclusion, a decision was adopted to suspend the relevant activities.

To ensure enforcement of the decision, it was forwarded to the Compulsory Enforcement Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.

The Company's Director was held administratively liable and fined AMD 5,430,000.

A claim for compensation for damage caused to land resources, amounting to AMD 26,535, was also submitted.

Furthermore, the Company was issued a mandatory compliance order requiring it to remedy the identified violations within the prescribed timeframe.