PM: RMG Gold will continue mining works in Sakdrisi
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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 yesterday.
On a Government Meeting, Garibashvili once again explained his position in this regard and stressed the importance of continuing gold-mining works in Sakdrisi.
The PM also noted that a modern archaeological museum would be built in Bolnisi to house the artifacts discovered in Sakdrisi, while the RMG Company would be given a new license to continue its operations in Sakdrisi. The company’s old license expires tomorrow.
"On one hand, we had an abandoned archaeological site neglected for years, so we transported the artifacts that were discovered there to a new space. We were promised by RMG Gold that a modern archaeological museum will be built in Bolnisi to preserve all artifacts discovered in Sakdrisi. This museum will serve as a cultural and tourism destination. We also plan to renovate the Old German Quarters,” he said.
"On the other hand, we had to decide the fate of 3,000 families and the whole district, as this company provides for the Bolnisi District in full. Allow me to confirm on behalf of the Government that we must extend the company's permit and allow RMG to continue its operations. This is our joint position. We discussed this issue with our economic team," the Prime Minister stated.
Sakdrisi Gold Mine has been one of the country’s main topics of discussion after the Government approved private gold mining company RMG Gold to resume mining at the controversial site one week ago.
Mining resumed on December 12 – one day after the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection and the National Agency of Cultural Heritage Protection approved RMG Gold’s request to resume mining at the site. Some experts believed Sakdrisi Gold Mine was one of the oldest gold mines in the world, dating back almost 5,000 years.
News of re-establishing mining at Sakdrisi Gold Mine was harshly protested by one part of society who said RMG Gold did not have the right to continue working at the site as Tbilisi City Court was still discussing the Ministry’s notion to revoke the mine’s status as a cultural heritage site.
The Sakdrisi Gold Mine was discovered in the early 2000s and excavations began in 2006. It was initially given the status of cultural heritage site but this was revoked by the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection in 2013.
A court debate is still going on about revoking the [cultural heritage] status of the monument.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A court decision has annulled a Ministerial decision to suspend Sakdrisi Gold Mine’s status as a historical monument.
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.
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.
Ministry of Culture officials were forbidden to enter ancient Sakdrisi-Kachaghiani territory, where a prehistoric gold mine is located. Sakdrisi Gold Mine is the oldest gold mine in the world, dating back almost 5,000 years.
The agreement between the strikers and the company’s administration was achieved after the Government appointed a mediator who assisted the parties to negotiate.
Georgia’s civil and political society are joining forces to save one of the oldest gold mines in southern Georgia and to prevent Russian-owned gold and copper mining company RMG Gold from expanding its activities there.
Georgian Agriculture and Environment Minister Levan Davitashvili has stated today that mining company RMG Gold and Copper is polluting local rivers in Bolnisi region in east Georgia.