Court orders review of Sakdrisi Gold Mine cultural status

The Court said the Culture Ministry suspended the historical monument status of Sakdrisi with procedural violations.
Agenda.ge, 13 Jun 2014 - 15:33, Tbilisi,Georgia

A court decision has annulled a Ministerial decision to suspend Sakdrisi Gold Mine’s status as a historical monument.

The Sakdrisi Gold Mine, one of the oldest gold mines in the world, could have the title reinstated after Tbilisi City Court overturned Ministry of Culture’s legal act to remove the mine’s status as a place of cultural importance, which was imposed in 2013.

In Court today, the judgement partially upheld a lawsuit by Georgian non-governmental organization Green Alternative and said the Ministry of Culture would have to further discuss the issue of Sakdrisi as a historical monument once again.

The Court said the Ministry violated procedures and made the decision to suspend the historical monument status of Sakdrisi Gold Mine without archaeological council.

Ten days ago Tbilisi City Court overturned the Ministry’s decision to allow Russian-owned mining company RMG Gold to continue mining at Sakdrisi Gold Mine