PM deflects on meeting protesters against Georgian Manganese

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday addressed questions from the media regarding the ongoing protests by residents of Shukruti village, claiming it remains the responsibility of Georgian Manganese to handle negotiations with the protesters.

On September 11, Shukruti residents, who had been demonstrating near a mine operated by Georgian Manganese for several months, intensified their protests by moving to the Parliament building in Tbilisi. They are urging the Georgian government to intervene to ensure the company meets its obligations.

Kobakhidze indicated that, according to available information, the protesters had already received tens of thousands of GEL in compensation from the company. The Georgian Manganese claimed it had provided over 12 million GEL in compensation.

The Chiatura Management Company, which manages the mining operations, maintains that all compensation had been distributed in full. However, Shukruti residents contest this, alleging that the reported compensation amounts were inaccurate and that some payments were merely advances. They argue that the final compensation should be calculated based on a report from the Samkharauli Forensics Bureau which the company has yet to publish.