Labor Inspectors Visit Chiatura Mine after Worker's Death

The representatives of the Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, visited Shukruti mine in Chiatura, West Georgia, following the death of 45-year-old miner, Zaza Abramishvili early on Monday.

The inspectors examined the site with the representatives of the Ministry of Economy.

"Our service checked the mines in summer last year, and we made a number of remarks. This particular site was not inspected last year, so we had no idea what the situation was here until the accident happened,” Labor Inspector Irakli Iobidze told reporters.

He added that the Labor Inspection Department will publish a report on the safety norms in Shukruti mine in the near future.

45-year-old miner, Zaza Abramishvili lost his life early on Monday in the Chiatura Shukruti mine, leaving behind a wife and two children.

As reported, the ceiling of the mine collapsed and large rocks fell on the miner while he was working.

Georgian Manganese, a major producer of high-grade and regular-grade silico-manganese in Georgia, which carries out mining operation in seven mines and eight quarries, including Chiatura, released a statement claiming it was an accident and the safety norms were ensured in the mine.

The organization says that their mine is usually inspected twice a year.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation under Article 240 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the violation of safety rules. 

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: Georgian Journal

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