A state monitoring group is inspecting the mines and the conditions miners have to work in at two mine towns in the west of Georgia.
Experts from the Economy Ministry and Health Ministry traveled to the towns of Tkibuli and Chiatura today to check the mines upon the decision by both ministries signed on May 11.
The decision came after four people were killed in a mining incident in Tkibuli on May 9.
The miners died after a rope broke and a coal lift fell from a height of 350 metres in the Mindeli coal mine in Tkibuli.
"The monitoring group consists of relevant specialists from both ministries; there are experts from the Economy Ministry’s Technical and Construction Monitoring Agency and the Health Ministry’s Department for Labour Conditions Inspection”, a statement by the Economy Ministry read.
Monitoring will be conducted in two directions: whether or not the mines work safely with no technical errors, and whether or not the workers’ rights are protected.
An investigation into the May 9 accident was launched under Article 240 of the Georgian Criminal Code envisaging a "breach of safety regulations during mining, construction or other works that result in death”.