“GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS” IS A SIGN OF RECOGNITION OF THE BEST PROFESSIONALS IN THE MINING AND METALLURGICAL COMPLEX
ON JUNE 4, 2025, ASTANA WILL HOST THE 15TH NATIONAL MINING AND METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY COMPETITION “GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS”, WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY HELD WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ASTANA MINING & METALLURGY (AMM) CONGRESS.
For fifteen years in a row, the award has served as the most important platform for recognizing the achievements of the best specialists and organizations working for the benefit of one of the key sectors of the economy of Kazakhstan. The “Golden Hephaestus” Award is traditionally held with the support of the Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a permanent reliable partner who makes a significant contribution to the development and recognition of the best specialists in the industry.
The competition is particularly important in 2025, which has been declared the Year of Working Professions in Kazakhstan. This decision underlines the strategic importance of developing skilled labor, strengthening human resources and raising the status of working professions. In such circumstances, the “Golden Hephaestus” becomes not just a professional award — it becomes a symbol of respect for people of work, whose contribution often remains behind the scenes, but is of paramount importance for the sustainable growth of the industry and the country as a whole.
Awarding of participants will take place in 15 nominations, covering all key areas of industry activity — from scientific and industrial achievements to educational and social initiatives. These nominations reflect the complex nature of the MMC's development and allow us to highlight the contribution of both individual specialists and entire teams.
There will be six awards in the Professional of the Year category – Geologist of the Year, Miner of the Year, Metallurgist of the Year, Miner of the Year, Concentrator of the Year and Women at the MMC. These awards are designed to highlight the importance of key manufacturing professions that underpin the entire industry vertical. They reflect the recognition of the real contribution of specialists who work on a daily basis in the field — in quarries, mines, workshops and laboratories — and embody the sustainable development of the industry with their knowledge and work. The laureates will receive well-deserved recognition for their contribution, which will promote the growth of their professional authority and inspire other specialists to new achievements.
Journalists writing about the mining and metallurgical industry in Kazakhstan, employees from educational, research, design and entrepreneurial areas of the mining and metallurgical complex will be awarded in the nominations “Best Social Project”, “Leader of the Year in Industrial Safety”, “Mentor of the Year”, “Teacher of the Year”, “Thesis of the Year”, “Media project of the year. The best journalistic work about MMC in print and online resources”, “Media Project of the Year. The best journalistic work about the Mining and Metallurgical Complex on TV”, “The best digital solution in the Mining and Metallurgical Complex” (special nomination from the General Partner of the ERG Award), “The best ESG strategy”. These nominations emphasize the importance of an integrated approach to the development of the industry, in which security, education, media coverage, digitalization and sustainable development become important along with production. The competition covers the entire ecosystem of the mining and metallurgical complex, celebrating the contribution of not only those who work in the field and at the machine, but also those who form the knowledge, meanings and strategies of the future.
The “Golden Hephaestus” is not just an award, it is a symbol of recognition of the highest professional achievements, respect for work and striving for excellence. It is a platform where industry leadership standards are formed, new names are identified, and best practices are consolidated.
The competition is organized with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the General Partner of the event – ERG (Eurasian Group).
