Starting Friday, Georgia’s Chiatura manganese mine and Zestaponi ferroalloy plant will cease operations temporarily, affecting thousands of employees who now face several months of uncertainty. Georgian Manganese, the company holding a 100% stake in both facilities, has declined to comment on the shutdown.
In a recent meeting with employees of Magharoeli LLC, a subsidiary, Georgian Manganese confirmed the suspension, set to last until April 2025, citing financial crises and the need for restructuring. Employees were informed they would receive 60% of their regular salaries during this period.
The complete halt in operations at the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant marks a significant event, with sources reporting that all furnaces will stop due to an electricity shortage.
According to Georgian Manganese’s website, the company is one of Georgia’s largest employers, overseeing around 6,000 employees across facilities that include the Chiatura mining complex, the Zestaponi ferroalloy plant, and Vartsikhehes, a hydroelectric station.
