On March 27 SOS Sevan Initiative Group of Environmental Public Alliance, together with environmentalists, youth activists, representatives of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center and other NGOs held a protest action, which started off from the Presidential Office and continued to the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, National Assembly and the Government building. The aim of the demonstration was to voice concern with the issue of possible illegal operation of a gold processing factory in Sevan basin by GeoProMining LLC, the owner of Ararat Gold Recovery Company and Sotk mining, thus threatening the very existence of Lake Sevan.

Armed with banners, green T-shirts and eco warrior helmets, the environmentalists applied to the state institutions to reconsider the contracts concluded with the company and to annul the licenses. Construction of gold processing factory would result in 100 million tons of rock waste, a tailing dump poisoned with cyanide combination, heavy and toxic metals and elements, such as arsenic, antimonite, pyrite, etc.

In view of TIAC Chairwoman Amalia Kostanyan the terrible situation in the sphere of environmental protection was caused as a result of corruption and TIAC Board Member Sona Ayvazyan was of the opinion that decision making process was lacking legal foundation and was non transparent.