THE BEST SPECIALISTS IN THE MINING AND METALLURGY COMPLEX WERE AWARDED AT THE GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS NATIONAL COMPETITION

Written on 07 June 2024.

ON JUNE 6, AT THE ASTANA OPERA, THE LARGEST THEATER IN CENTRAL ASIA, THE WINNERS OF THE 14TH NATIONAL INDUSTRY COMPETITION - GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS WERE SOLEMNLY AWARDED, ORGANIZED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN AND THE GENERAL PARTNER OF THE EVENT - EURASIAN RESOURCES GROUP (ERG).

Golden Hephaestus is considered one of the most anticipated events in the industry and is the most revered award of republican significance for mining and metallurgy industry specialists. The scope and scale of the event amazed the imagination, bringing together the best representatives of the mining and metallurgy complex from all over the country within the walls of the theater. The award ceremony was attended by Kanat Sharlapayev, Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Daniyar Rakhmatullayev, Deputy General Director for Finance of ERG in Kazakhstan, Yevgeniy Bolgert, Deputy of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The gala evening began with congratulations to the heroes of the evening. This year, the permanent Golden Partner of the AMM Congress and the Golden Hephaestus award - Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) celebrates its 30th anniversary, and the Golden Partner of the AMM Congress - KAZ Minerals celebrates its 10th anniversary. Under the loud applause of the guests of the Competition, letters of gratitude on the occasion of the anniversary were received by Serik Shakhazhanov, the General Director of ERG in Kazakhstan, and Paul Gahagan, the Director of Human Resources of the KAZ Minerals Group, from the hands of the Minister. The hall was filled with an atmosphere of celebration and pride in the achievements of domestic companies, which continue to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global market of the mining and metallurgy industry.

Golden Hephaestus is not just a ceremonial award, but a bright demonstration of the achievements and dynamic development of the mining and metallurgy industry of Kazakhstan, which is considered a reliable pillar of the country’s economy. The competition helps specialists receive a well-deserved assessment of their difficult work, demonstrate their professional skills and increase the importance of professions in the mining and metallurgy industry. The award gives winners the confidence and spirit to grow further, motivating them to achieve even greater achievements. As K. Sharlapayev noted: “Golden Hephaestus has become one of the most significant awards for our professionals. Thanks to the fusion of courage, hard work and art in your difficult profession, you are the winners of fire and metal, worthy successors to the best traditions of our ancestors. Your work is the art of transforming metal, and your skill is a real asset to our country. Thanks to you - thousands of miners, pitmen, metallurgists, geologists, engineers, machinists and other workers, today we confidently occupy a significant role in the industry! May your professionalism and diligence always be rewarded with well-deserved recognition”.

This year was marked by a record number of people wishing to participate in the competition. A total of 215 applications for participation were submitted, and it was not easy for the independent jury to make their choice. Candidates for participation in the competition were nominated by teams of organizations and through self-nomination, which made participation in the competition this year even more accessible. In a number of competition nominations, cash prizes were increased, opening up opportunities for specialists from design, scientific, educational institutions and enterprises, and journalists writing about the mining and metallurgy industry to show their professionalism and receive a prestigious industry award.

Independent experts from specialized associations and the Ministry, as part of the jury, reviewed all applications and determined the winners in 15 categories. Each winner showed their professionalism, hard work and high qualifications. Names of the winners of the 2024 Golden Hephaestus Competition:

• “Professional of the Year. Geologist of the Year” - Dmitriy Yevgenyevich Streltsov; Director for Mineral Resources, Komarovskoe Mining Enterprise LLP, part of the Polymetal Group of Companies;
• “Professional of the Year. Miner of the Year” - Farkhad Samikhollayevich Aslbekov, Head of the quarry, RG Gold LLP;
• “Professional of the Year. Pitman of the Year” - Ivan Anatolyevich Sheremet, Saransk mine of QarMet JSC;
• “Professional of the Year. Concentrator of the Year” - Olga Alekseyevna Lukina, Head of the Pellet Production Workshop of Sokolov-Sarbai Mining Production Association (ERG);
• “Professional of the Year. Metallurgist of the Year” - Aidar Umyrbayevich Tusupbekov, Head of the Production Department of the Management of Kazakhmys Smelting LLP;
• “Professional of the Year. Women in MMC” - Bibigul Sabitovna Dzhusupova, Chief Construction Specialist of the Capital Construction Department of AK Altynalmas JSC;
• “Best Social Project of the Year” - Kazzinc LLP, Forum-competition: Not the Weak Female Half;
• “Leader of the Year in Industrial Safety” - KAZ Minerals Group;
• “Best ESG Strategy” - Kazakhmys Group of Companies;
• “Best digital solution in MMC” (special nomination from the General partner of the ERG award - Communications Kazakhstan LLP;
• “Mentor of the Year” - Kimrat Khalitovich Iksanov, manager of the ERG Research and Engineering Center;
• “Teacher of the Year” - Askar Zhanbolatovich Imashev, Head of the Department of Mineral Deposit Development, Karaganda Technical University named after Abylkas Saginov NJSC;
• “Graduate Thesis of the Year” - Adel Bolatovna Dakenova, Graduate Thesis: “Reducing the impact of industrial waste on the environment (using the example of the Zhezkazgan region)”;
• “Media project of the Year. The best journalistic work about the mining and metallurgical complex in print and online resources” - Yelena Aleksandrovna Voronina, editor of the Rudnensky Rabochiy city newspaper (Rudny Media LLP), article: The mine does not tolerate weakness;
• “Media project of the Year. The best journalistic work about the mining and metallurgy industry on TV” - Yernar Boranuly Taizhan, journalist and producer of the Atameken Business TV channel, project: Yenbek Zholy. Bakytzhan Tushayev”.

Three industry professionals: Ye.V. Budnetskaya (Vostoktsvetmet LLP), M.G. Sadykov (KAZ Minerals Bozshakol LLP), V.F. Filippov (Qarmet JSC) were awarded a special state award for the labor achievements of honorary professionals of the MMC - the Yenbek Danky award pin. In the solemn atmosphere of the evening, Nikolay Vladimirovich Radostovets, Executive Director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, was awarded.

The unforgettable atmosphere of the evening was created by Ruslan Baimurzin, the musical director, chevalier of Kurmet, ballet, choir, orchestra, mimance of the artists of the Astana Opera Theater, as well as Firuza Rakhmetova, Talgat Allabirinov and Rasul Zharmaganbetov, talented laureates of international competitions-soloists. The evening continued with a gala dinner and informal communication between the participants, which made it possible to strengthen existing and establish new business connections. Thus, the Golden Hephaestus competition became not only a reason for congratulations, but also a demonstration of strength, unity and desire for new heights in the mining and metallurgy industry of Kazakhstan.

Today, June 7, the winners of the Golden Hephaestus National Competition will share their successful experience of participating in the competition, motivating young industry professionals for professional growth.

The Golden Hephaestus competition is held within the framework of the AMM Congress. The organizers of the event are Iteca Kazakhstan Exhibition Company and its international partner - ICA Events Group of Companies.