TBILISI, DFWatch–On Monday a concert was held in Tbilisi to protest against the Culture Ministry’s delaying the process to review the status of the ancient Sakdrisi gold mine, which according to German and Georgian specialists is more than 4500 years old and should

have status as cultural heritage. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzT3nf0VBGA

The event was organized by the youth group Green Fist, and involved students and young artists for a concert in the yard of Tbilisi State University, where despite a freezing minus 13 degrees C, tens of people came to express their objection to plans by mining company RMG Gold to start mining in Sakdrisi.

Organizers of the event say the ancient Sakdrisi mine is threatened by RMG’s plans to start mining work which will destroy the unique value of the place.

The Culture Ministry lifted the cultural heritage status from the mine in 2013, after which the mining company RMG Gold attempted several times to start mining in Sakdrisi. This led to protests by environmental activists.

Green Fist plans to continue holding rallies until the Culture Ministry sets specific terms for protecting Sakdrisi.