Racha region's Oni municipality residents hold rally opposing manganese mining

Residents of the village of Shkmeri in Oni municipality of Georgia have held a rally earlier today in protest of the issuance of licenses for manganese mining.

The protesters claim that manganese mining, which involves digging up the territory, will pollute the air and damage the houses in Shkhmeri.

Protesters claim that manganese mining will pollute the air in Shkmeri. Photo: Goga Gagnidze/Facebook

The National Agency of Mines issued two licenses for manganese mining in Shkmeri in July 2021. Social Justice Center and Green Alternative appealed the decision in court, saying that it breached the Aarhus Convention, which grants the population the right to participate in environmental decision-making.