
Two miners from Georgia’s Chiatura go on hunger strike
They demand that a government representative meet with the miners and listen to their problems directly.
Mines built during the Soviet-era have left a lasting impact on the central Georgian town of Chiatura. In recent years, the mines have faced frequent labour strikes, and protests over the collapse of the nearby villages of Shukruti and Itkhvisi.
They demand that a government representative meet with the miners and listen to their problems directly.
The miners are calling on the government to step in to resume manganese mining in the central Georgian town of Chiatura.
Since 28 February, thousands of miners have been holding protests demanding that the state protect the rights of Georgian Manganese employees.
The company previously announced that it wouldn’t resume underground mining, citing ‘unprofitability’ as protests against the company continue.
Locals warn that the company’s choice to carry out open-pit mining poses a bigger environmental risk.
Georgian Manganese is the sole owner of a license to operate mines in the central Georgian municipality of Chiatura.
The Zestaponi Ferroalloy Plant and all manganese mines in Chiatura, both owned by the mining company Georgian Manganese, have temporarily stopped work until 1 March 2025. On Thursday, Georgian Manganese published a statement saying that until 1 March, a temporary management regime would operate at the Zestaponi Ferroalloy Plant. The plant is Georgia’s largest silicomanganese processing plant. Georgian Manganese is the largest mining and ferroalloy manufacturing company in Georgia, where