One dead and eight injured in Tkibuli mine explosion, 31 January 2022

...Mining company Saknakhshiri told Formula that they were investigating the cause of the incident. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation for a possible violation of safety standards.

The Labor Inspection Office has also started an investigation. On Monday, they released preliminary findings suggesting at least two violations, including drilling and blasting when methane levels in the air exceeded the allowable concentration. They also reported that blasting was carried out without the direct supervision of a technical supervisor.

Deaths in Georgia’s mining sector are a common occurrence, with miners regularly going on strike to demand a safer working environment. A 2019 report by Human Rights Watch blamed deregulation of the mining sector for the number of accidents, urging the government to adopt international standards.