Sotk could have been one of the finest of villages in Armenia had GeoProMining Gold, the company that operates the largest gold mine in the country, been a bit more ethical in its dealings with residents...The 1,780 residents of Sotk, a village in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province, breathe in the gray poisonous dust rising from the mine and landfill area all year round. Groundwater leaving the mine area is contaminated with heavy metals and toxic substances. It all flows into the Sotk River, the water of which is used by residents to irrigate their vegetable gardens and land..[R]esidents...believe the company can mitigate the negative environmental impacts of the mine by using modern technologies. They say the mine can operate in a closed fashion but that the company doesn’t want to...The company claims that "the mine is operated in accordance with safety standards and environmental norms." It also argued that it pays compensation for the damage by implementing various social and environmental projects...