PM Meets Tkibuli Miners

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, has met the miners of Mindeli Mine, located in western Georgia’s Tkibuli Municipality, which is at present closed due to an inspection being carried out there.

Bakhtadze told the miners that high-caliber engineering expertise on Mindeli Coal Mine will be available in December, adding the operation of the mine will be resumed at segments deemed safe and fit for working in.

The PM added a long-term development strategy of the mine needs to be developed no later than next year. Otherwise, operation of the mine will not be sustainable.

“Health and safety standards need to be institutionalized and strict discipline followed at the enterprise, as nothing is more important than a human life,” he underlined.

Bakhtadze also informed the miners about the planned construction of a jacket-manufacturing factory in Tkibuli. The investment value of the project is $5 million and the agreement was already signed by the Partnership Fund together with Chinese investors.

Tkibuli miners were on protest in early November, but suspended their rally after the government promised they will receive their salaries as usual, despite the mines being closed for inspection.

The decision to close the Tkibuli mines was made in July by the Prime Minister of Georgia, after a July 16 incident in Mindeli mine left four miners dead and six severely injured.

By Thea Morrison

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