This paper aims to inform Armenia'spolicy dialogue on environmental and social issues in themining sector. The paper is based on the premise that forthe mining sector to have positive, long-term impacts inArmenia, it is necessary to take into consideration theshort- and long-term environmental and social impacts of thesector and to promote strategic planning and efficientmanagement of natural resources. The mining sector inArmenia has yet to adopt global best practices in thissector, and this paper aims to provide guidance on some ofthe mechanisms that can be adopted to improve the governanceand overall impact of mining in the country. The document isstructured as follows: chapter one presents an introductionto this thematic paper. Chapter two provides an overview ofthe mining sector in Armenia, including its underpinninginstitutional and regulatory framework. It also singles outpolicy gaps and regulatory inconsistencies that need to beaddressed. Chapter three presents some useful lessons of theapplication of Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment(SESA) as a tool for sustainable planning of miningdevelopment in the country. This chapter also compares usesof an SESA versus Environmental Impact Assessments anddefines the need and use of Cumulative Impact Assessment(CIA). Chapter four describes the principles of valuation ofnatural capital as a means to complement traditionalcost-benefit analysis and comparisons of developmentalternatives in the decision-making process. Chapter fivelooks at the design and implementation of benefit-sharingmechanisms to ensure that the mining activities lead topositive social impacts across the country. Chapter sixlooks at the process of determining and dealing with thesocial costs of mining in Armenia. Chapter seven provides aseries of conclusions and recommendations as well asimplementation challenges that will summarize theapplication of such recommendations in present-day Armeniaand its mining sector.
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