Archeologists forbidden to enter prehistoric gold mine
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Ministry of Culture officials were forbidden to enter ancient Sakdrisi-Kachaghiani territory, where a prehistoric gold mine is located.
Today at the site, security representing the company RMG Gold told them to leave the land immediately.
Sakdrisi Gold Mine is the oldest gold mine in the world, dating back almost 5,000 years. German and Georgian archaeologists have been excavating the site since 2006.
RMG Gold decided to begin technical work at the gold mine after the Ministry of Culture abolished Sakdrisi Gold Mines status as a cultural monument.
On January 7 the company brought their excavating equipment to the prehistoric mine site.
The National Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage appealed to the company to cancel working across the Sakdrisi-Kachaghiani territory.
However RMG Gold issued a statement on January 10, which said the company had license to provide ground works over the prehistoric territory.
"Our company believes the Sakdrisi territory is included in RMGs license, which means we are legally entitled to provide mining. If we discover any artifacts we will cancel our work here immediately, stated RMG.
German experts advised the Georgian Government to establish a special committee on the Sakdrisi Gold mine, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maia Panjikidze.
"Our archeological collaboration lasts for almost 20 years. said Panjikidze.
"So, I understand why the Germans have such a big interest in this issue. They suggested us to establish a special committee that will observe the Sakdrisi Gold Mine issue. If this committee is established, the German experts will be also engaged in this process.
Nevertheless, last year the Ministry of Culture abolished Sakdrisi Gold Mines status as a cultural monument.
Furthermore, according to the Presidents wishes, issued in July 2013, the Sakdrisi Gold Mine was removed from the National significance category.
Although several German and Georgian archaeologists claim that the gold mine is the oldest mine in the world, Georgian Ministry of Culture did not confirm that the gold and golden ores were mining from the ground across that territory in the prehistoric era.
Minister Guram Odisharia addressed Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in a bid to dismiss the First Deputy Culture Minister Marine Mizandari on February 5.
The First Deputy Minister of Culture and Monument Protection Marine Mizandari has been dismissed by the order of the Prime Minister
Former first Deputy Minister of Culture Marina Mizandari will appeal to the Civil Court against an official decision to terminate her employment.
RMG Gold will resume work at Sakdrisi gold mine in southern Georgia, which some archaeologists believe is the world’s oldest gold mine.
Major issues surrounding the Sakdrisi gold mine will be investigated by international experts in a bid to resolve the vast problems surrounding the mine.
German and Swiss experts are in southern Georgia to assess the controversial mining issue at the Sakdrisi gold mine.
A court ruling has overturned a Ministerial decision to allow Russian-owned mining company RMG Gold to continue mining at the Sakdrisi Gold Mine in southern Georgia.
A court decision has annulled a Ministerial decision to suspend Sakdrisi Gold Mine’s status as a historical monument.
Establishing the historical importance of Sakdrisi Gold Mine in southern Georgia is in doubt after the Government approved RMG Gold to resume mining at the controversial site.
Every civilized country is obliged to take care of its cultural heritage, said Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili while commenting the controversy surrounding Sakdrisi Gold Mine.
The employees of the Sakdrisi Gold Mine in southern Georgia demanding reestablishing mining at the controversial site said if RMG Gold, a company carrying out the mining operation stopped working at the site, jobs would dry up and they would be unemployed again.
Leaving 3,000 families without a job in the current situation in Georgia is a very big irresponsibility, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili today said while commenting the developments around the controversial Sakdrisi Gold Mine.
We must define our priorities considering the country's interests and only then make a decision, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili noted while commenting on the controversial Sakdrisi Gold Mine issue today.