Controversial Russian executive appointed to oversee Georgia’s Chiatura mine reopening amid protests

A Russian national with a contentious track record in Georgia’s mining sector has been appointed to lead the reorganization of mining operations in the western town of Chiatura.

Mikheil Sotski, the current general director of Saknakhshiri—the company operating the coal mines in Tkibuli—has been named by Georgian Manganese’s managing company, CMC, to head efforts to restart operations in Chiatura. His appointment comes despite months of labor unrest and growing mistrust among miners, who accuse him of implementing exploitative labor practices in Tkibuli and fear a repeat in Chiatura.

The company insists that production can only resume under a complete reorganization led by Sotski and has issued an ultimatum to protesting miners.

“The company firmly states: mining operations in Chiatura will either be reopened under a model based on new rules – or they will not be resumed at all,” CMC said in a statement on Tuesday. It demanded the lifting of all pickets and an end to ongoing protests as a condition for reopening.

But miners, particularly in the village of Shukruti where picketing has persisted for over a year, have condemned the move, accusing CMC of trying to impose a “Russian oligarch” on their community.

“This man brought slave-like methods to Tkibuli and now wants to do the same here,” said protest leader Giorgi Neparidze. “He already fired dozens of workers there, and now we’re next.”

Sotski’s previous management of the Tkibuli mines was marked by mass layoffs in November 2024, which dismissed workers described as politically motivated. His leadership and methods are widely viewed with suspicion among laborers, who argue that state authorities are turning a blind eye to their concerns.

Chiatura residents also say they were visited by Paata Modebadze, a representative of the investor group, who reportedly told them the government had no role in the mines anymore, as “everything has been sold.”

Despite company promises of transparent restructuring and technical inspections to ensure a safe reopening, many miners remain unconvinced and have taken their protest to Tbilisi, demanding direct involvement from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“This won’t be solved by another middleman or empty promises,” Neparidze said. “We need real answers, real leadership.”

April 23 marks the 55th consecutive day of protest in Chiatura, where mining remains central to the town’s identity and economy.