“Before Working in Geoteam I was also Certain about Leaving the Country”
Young specialists on their experience in Geoteam Company:
Geoteam CJSC, which is going to exploit Amulsar gold mine, provided numerous young specialists the opportunity of working for the company and be more specialized in the field. Artur Pepanyan (29) has worked in the team for 6 years, has mathematical background. Without any experience in the field of environmental protection, he trained at qualified specialists and became a team member. He told us, that he passed a trial period for 6 months, and got acquainted with the work.
“Throughout these years I gained much experience, and regularly participated in 
specialized trainings. It’s very interesting to work in Geoteam. They provide the opportunity to work with foreign and local specialists from different companies. Environmental protection is mainly based on measurements and use of equipment, which is closely linked to mathematics. Other details I learnt through working with various specialists and trainings,” Artur said.
He noted, it’s difficult to find a good job in Armenia, and he’s very glad to be in Geoteam, otherwise, he considers it’d be hard for him. “Geoteam and Lydian International is a new culture, which Armenia’s mining lacks, we perform our work not only in compliance with Armenia’s legislative standards, but also coordinate our work with standards of best international experience,” he added.
Hovhannes Karapetyan (32) specialized as geologist and geophysicist, had his first work experience in Geoteam. He’s been working in the company for 8 years, and said he appeared in the company quite accidentally, by sending his CV, without any working experience, however, he was engaged with the works of Amulsar project.
“Together with many geologists, we gained big experience. Besides Amulsar project I also took part in projects outside Armenia, which is a big experience as well,” Hovhannes said.
The latter is from Gyumri; he graduated from the university and stayed in Yerevan, as he was recruited in the team, “In that period finding work was not easy, and many of my friends had to leave Armenia for working abroad, and I’m very glad I applied to Geoteam just in time, and currently I may work by my profession. Before working here, I was almost convinced I have to leave my country, and after I came here, I believed it’s possible to find a job here, by my profession, which gave me a great experience.”
According to Hovhannes, the project is productive not only for Geoteam employees, but it opens big perspectives both for Amulsar neighboring communities and, generally, for the country.
Ruben Vardanyan (28) is the environmentalist of the company, who until recently was working in the company as a geologist. He decided to change the field, as he realized, that environmental protection is more interesting to him, “Before changing the field, for a year I worked in biodiversity survey project, implemented by Geoteam and foreign companies jointly, as well as by the specialists of our Institute of Biology. I worked in the field and decided to continue.”
Ruben has graduated from National Polytechnic University of Armenia, faculty of Mining and Metallurgy, then continued his Master’s degree in the faculty of Mining at YSU, “I worked parallel to my studies in YSU. Here I work with foreign specialists—exchange of experience, new methodology, new way of work provide the specialist the opportunity not only to theoretically obtain knowledge, but also apply it in practice, it gives the person the opportunity to develop, grow and be more specialized in the field.”
Ruben considers that Geoteam is among those single companies in Armenia, employees of which can’t complain of anything, “You can’t find anyone here, who is discontent of this or that issue,” he said. He is content with style of work of the company, management and choice of the specialists, during which not only professional skills, but high human qualities are taken into account as well.
Mkrtich Karapetyan (38), who lives in Gorayk community, and who was the first worker of the company, is a geologist, “The first meeting was with Hayk Aloyan [CEO of Geoteam – A.K.] in the field by chance, and Hayk offered him a job of a workman. Then I worked in the laboratory as a sampler, parallel to it I was studying in the faculty of Geology at YSU, and after graduation I worked as a geologist. I told about my intention, they funded and I started studying,” Hovhannes said.
He mentioned, as a result of this cooperation he obtained work, due to which he didn’t migrate, “We don’t migrate, stay in our country, have families and are provided with everything. Before working with them I was in Arpa-Sevan tunnel.”
After the project, if work near his settlement will be found, Hovhannes is willing to continue.
Gagik Yeghyan (26) from Gndevaz village has worked in Geoteam for many years. From 2011 he was moved to the company’s environmental protection department, assists specialists in sampling and other fields. In his words, throughout these years he obtained great working experience in the field.
“Cooperation with this company gave me profession, which if I try, I may use in other mines as well. The fact that I live in Gndevaz, and exactly I work there is very crucial for me, and I’m more consistent, that it became better,” he said, highlighting that the company worked with high quality. He also got engaged with the works and saw everything was properly done.
Garik hopes, after the project he’ll be able to continue working in the field.
Note, Geoteam CJSC is the Lydia International Daughter Company listed in Toronto stock exchange. It was founded in 2005, and as a result of wide-scale explorations Amulsar has been found, which presently is the latter’s primary project. Amulsar is a recently uncovered gold mine, throughout last 20 years, and the first in Armenia. Geoteam CJSC performs explorations in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region. Amulsar is located at administrative border of Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions, 170km away from Yerevan. Construction works of Amulsar mine will be launched this year.
By Ani Keshishyan
