There is a rich abundance of natural resources in Armenia, especially minerals such as copper, gold, molybdenum, zinc, aluminum, and iron, and also Non-metallic minerals such as zeolite, tuff, nephelite, syenite, perlite, scoria marble pumice stone, etc., which has helped to boost the country’s economy over the years.
The country is located Southwest Caucasus region, at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. It is a landlocked country bordered by Georgia to the North, Azerbaijan to the east, Iran to the South, and Turkey to the West.
Armenia occupies a land area of about 11,484 square miles with a population estimated at 3.3 million.
The mining industry is an economic asset of the Angolan nation, as a result, more than 670 mineral mines, including 30 metal mines are currently registered in the state inventory of mineral resources.
Table of Contents
Top 7 Natural Resources in Armenia
In detail, here are the lists of top natural resources you could find in Armenia:
1. Molybdenum
This mineral resource is considered the most important mineral resource alongside copper in Armenia. In 2010, Armenia was undoubtedly noted as the seventh producer of Molybdenum in the world, giving a boost to her economy in its entirety.
Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and the Agarak copper Molybdenum combine are the two top producers of molybdenum concentrates in Armenia. Large Molybdenum deposits are concentrated in the Karajan deposits in Syunik province.
These deposits are owned by the Zangezur copper Molybdenum combine. Initially, the plant used sub-surface mining before shifting to the open-pit mining method in 1959.
Presently, this plant produces 10 million tons of copper and molybdenum concentrates annually. The copper concentrates are transported to Armenia Molybdenum company and Alaverdi metallurgical plant in Yerevan where it is processed further.
2. Copper
Copper is another mineral deposit that is largely found in Armenia, especially in two locations: the far South (the Zangezur group) and in the northeast the Aghstev debed, and is largely exported to countries such as China, Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Georgia. This mineral resource is usually used in industrial production.
As of 2015, copper ore exports rose to 67% alongside molybdenum export which increased to 6.6% in the same year.
Copper ore deposits are found in Karajan, Shamlugh, Akhtala, Alaverdi, Lichq, and Kashen mines. Other deposits are available in Agarak, Teghut, Hankavan, Kapan, Dastakert, and Hankasar mines.
3. Gold
This is indeed another natural resource that keeps garnering income for the Argentine government. Tangible gold deposits are found throughout Armenia in mines such as Mghart mine, Meghradzor, Sotk Mine, Terteraser, and Bardzradir mines; meanwhile, in other regions, gold oxide or in combination with other minerals such as copper, silver, zinc, lead, uranium, and molybdenum.
Gold forms a pivotal sector of the Armenian economy and contributes to about half of the country’s total export. About 13 gold and gold and gold poly-metallic mines are under exploitation in Armenia.
The gold-bearing poly-metallic deposits in Armenia occur mainly in the South of the country while quartz traces containing silver and gold are located in the northern part of the country.
4. Rocks
There is no doubt that Armenia is q home to various unique and high-quality stones. Almost all kinds of mineral rocks such as scoria, tuff, nephelite, syenite, perlite, basalts, marble, granite, pumice stones, and zeolites are found in this territory especially Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.
In Yerevan, the capital city, stones are used for architectural designs and decoration. Among the stones used are the tuff stones which is used for construction since ancient times.
The tuff is a beautiful and high-quality volcanic rock that comes in various colors ranging from pink, red, black, and brown. They are usually used for indoor and outdoor decorations and building pavements, facades, barbeques ad fireplace applications.
5. Salt
Salt is also an essential natural resource with large deposits mostly found in the Armenian territory of Avan with the Avan salt plant as the only salt-producing company over the years to date.
Armenia is abundantly blessed with mineral waters as well. Major cities in the territory such as the cities of Sevan, Hankavan, Arzni, Bjni, Diligan, and Jermuk are popular as a result of the medicinal and organoleptic qualities of their water.
6. Agriculture
Agriculture has been major sustenance of the Armenian economy over the years. Armenia was one of the countries to privatize land after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Investment by both private sectors and international organizations has improved the agro-processing industry and has continued to adapt to the market economy. The Armenian government ensures the improvement of efficient competitiveness of products and diversification of production.
Increased demands from overseas for Armenian agricultural products provide local farmers with incentives to enhance the efficacy of their operations and increase production to satisfy other markets. As a result of this, more than 25% of Armenian workers are employed in the agriculture sector.
70% of Armenian territory is classified as agricultural land, with arable land representing only 15% of the total territory. Of recent, the agricultural sector of Armenia has suffered a huge setback as a result of soil degradation which has led to reduced productivity, processing, and marketing constraints for agricultural products.
Plants Armenian farmlands produce include apples, walnut, mulberries, peaches, apricot, pomegranate, plums, raspberries, strawberries, etc.
7. Iron and Steel
This is another solid natural resource found In Armenia with its metallurgical plant located 25km to the North East of Yerevan. In 2013, the total investment made in this plant was about $30 million of which 70% of the expenditure was the cost of the equipment itself.
As of 2014, this new plant was producing steel-reinforcing bars (rebar) from metal scrap collected in Armenia. The plant’s rolling mill has the capacity to produce 125,000 tonnes of steel per year without any restraint.
In 2015, the company was planning to produce metal balls for the mining industry and to reach a production capacity of 20,000 within the first half of the year. The company employed more than 450 people in 2015 and planned to add more workers in subsequent years.
List of all Natural Resources in Armenia
- Molybdenum
- Gold
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Rocks
- Granite
- Lithium
- Agriculture
- Silver
- Lead.
- Limestone
- Uranium
- Zinc
- Basalt
- Diatomite
- Gypsum
- Perlite
- Steel
- Salt
Conclusion
Armenian’s territorial proximity to mountains has become an advantage to her endowment of natural mineral resources which has improved the nation’s economy over the years till now.
Massive production of mineral resources such as molybdenum, copper gold, steel, aluminum, etc., through Armenian mining industries, has fostered the mining sector and has encouraged exports and the overall growth of her economy.
Top 7 Natural Resources in Armenia – FAQs
Does Armenia have gold?
Yes, Armenia mines massive tons of gold.
What is Armenia's Most Abundant Natural Resource?
Molybdenum is her most abundant natural resource
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