YEREVAN, Nov.9 (ArmenPress) - The copper-molybdenum factory of Zangezour has been falling short for two months of its contractual obligations to Manes and Valex copper processing company in the town of Alaverdi, which may force the company to halt its operation.

According to the contract, the Zangezour factory must provide Alaverdi's enterprise with copper ore till the end of 2002. In October it had to supply 2,200 tons, yet only 500 tons of copper ore were consigned.

The executive director of "Manes & Vallex" company Valeri Mejlumian said that instead of providing the internal consumer with copper ore, the Zangezour factory consigns it to foreign countries. In his words, the enterprise works to 60% of its capacity. In case the copper ore supply isn't restored, the company will have to halt operation; as a result, 500 workers will lose their jobs.

In the meantime, the Armenian Academy of Sciences is preparing a number of events to mark the 230th anniversary of Manex and Valex, the oldest plant in Armenia. Experts and guests from Russia, Poland, Finland and Germany, as well as the head of Armenian Church Catholicos Karekin II are expected to visit the plant November 18.