Population of Didi Dmanisi VS Gold Extracting Company

Manon Bokuchava, Kvemo Kartli

Many people complain about Gold Extracting Company RMG GOLD now. Active youth, archeologists and defenders of culture heritage opposed the company for having damaged the deposit for mining the gold in the area. However, residents of the village nearby the gold mine have different complaints with the company.

Residents of Didi Dmanisi village claim that the Company mines gold on the slope of the mountain near their village too. As a result, explosions do not allow local population in calm environment and the dust does not allow breathing. Locals claim natural water stream channel was damaged as a result of ongoing explosions in the area and they cannot irrigate plots now. “In the evening they start explosions on the slope of the mountain. Noise and dust reach the village. Fruit trees, vegetables and entire fields are covered with white dust. Lately, we detected that fruit trees are drying off. We connect everything with the gold mining. After each rain, there is white mud in the fields. It is for sure that gold mining will damage environment and fruit trees. Explosions damage our houses too, window glasses were broken,” local Liana Kuchuradze said.

Although RMG GOLD claims in all statements that their activities do not damage environment, every resident of the village shares the concerns of Liana Kuchuradze.

“As a result of their work, fruit trees dried off in our village; in similar situation it will be impossible to live here. Youth has already abandoned village and soon nobody will stay here. They are mining nearby the Aburbuki Forest, that is located 1,5 kilometers from the village. There were four natural streams in the forest whose tributary created an irrigation channel. Now, they have locked the channel,” resident of Didi Dmanisi Shamil Martiashvili said.

Residents of Didi Dmanisi claim unless their problem is resolved, they will block the way towards mines for the company. Meanwhile, they suggest gold-drivers not to seek additional plots to purchase at meager prices in their village.