JUBILEE “GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS”: IN THE YEAR OF VOCATIONAL PROFESSIONS, THE COUNTRY HONORS THE BEST SPECIALISTS IN THE MINING AND METALLURGICAL SECTOR

Written on 05 June 2025.

ON JUNE 4, THE SOLEMN AWARD CEREMONY FOR THE WINNERS OF THE 15TH NATIONAL INDUSTRY COMPETITION “GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS” TOOK PLACE AT THE STATE OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE “ASTANA OPERA.”

The competition is held annually as part of the AMM Mining and Metallurgical Congress. The event was supported by the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the General Partner – Eurasian Resources Group (ERG).

“Golden Hephaestus” is considered one of the most anticipated events in the industry and is the most prestigious national award for specialists of the MMC. The 15th anniversary competition is held during the Year of Vocational Professions in Kazakhstan, which gives the event special significance. At a time when it is especially important for the country to emphasize the value of labor, craftsmanship, and engineering thought, “Golden Hephaestus” becomes a bright symbol of recognition for the achievements of MMC specialists – the foundation of national industry. The competition not only honors outstanding professionals but also inspires new generations to choose vocational careers, seeing in them prestige and future prospects.

The award ceremony was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Albert Pavlovich Rau, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Saparbekovich Saparbekov, and Deputy General Director for Finance of Eurasian Resources Group in Kazakhstan Daniyar Ravshanovich Rakhmatullaev.

The “Golden Hephaestus” competition remains the main professional event of the year in the mining and metallurgical industry. It is not just an award – it is recognition of the highest level of qualification, diligence, and dedication to the profession. This year, the ceremony once again gathered the best representatives of the sector: geologists, miners, metallurgists, educators, engineers, and managers.

Over the years of the competition, a total of 1,957 applications have been submitted. This year was no exception – the independent jury once again faced a difficult choice. Participants were nominated both by enterprise teams and through self-nomination, making participation as open and inclusive as possible.

Independent experts from industry associations and the Ministry, as members of the jury, reviewed all applications and selected winners in 15 categories. Each winner demonstrated professionalism, hard work, and high qualification. For the first time in the history of the competition, two winners were awarded in the category “Professional of the Year. Women in MMC,” each of whom showed outstanding professional achievements and a significant contribution to the development of their enterprises and the entire industry. The names of the 2025 “Golden Hephaestus” winners:

• Professional of the Year. Geologist of the Year – Bitimbaev Marat Zhakupovich, Chief Researcher, K.I. Satpayev Institute of Geological Sciences;
• Professional of the Year. Miner of the Year – Petrunin Sergey Alexandrovich, Head of Mining Site, Varvarinskoye JSC;
• Professional of the Year. Coal Miner of the Year – Serikpaev Timur Kumarbekovich, Heading Miner (coalface worker), Vostoktsvetmet LLP;
• Professional of the Year. Concentrator of the Year – Kozhabekov Baurzhan Bolatovich, Chief Concentrator of the Mining and Concentration Complex, Enrichment Department, Kazakhmys Corporation LLP;
• Professional of the Year. Metallurgist of the Year – Zhumabekov Eldos Muratovich, Shift Supervisor of Electrolysis Series, Aluminum Electrolysis Shop, Kazakhstan Electrolysis Plant JSC (part of ERG);
• Professional of the Year. Women in MMC – Zaurbekova Zaure Galimovna, Board Member – Deputy Chairman of the Board for Finance and Strategic Development, Qarmet JSC;
• Professional of the Year. Women in MMC – Alexeyeva Svetlana Sergeevna, Commercial Director, Maker LLP;
• Best Social Project of the Year – KAZ Minerals Group

Construction and equipment of Secondary IT School-Lyceum No. 50 in Semey for 1,200 students;

• Industrial Safety Leader of the Year – Kazzinc LLP, Integrated Platform OneApp;
• Best ESG Strategy – Solidcore Resources plc, Comprehensive Long-Term ESG Strategy;
• Best Digital Solution in MMC (special nomination from General Partner ERG) – Qarmet JSC, Dispatch and Analytical Center of the Coal Department and Integrated Personnel and Equipment Positioning System;
• Mentor of the Year – Dagilova Kulken Turganovna, Flotator, KAZ Minerals Aktogay LLP;
• Educator of the Year – Kuzmin Sergey Lvovich, Dean of the Higher School of Metallurgy and Mining, PhD in Technical Sciences, Rudny Industrial Institute NAO;
• Thesis of the Year – Gizatov Asylbek Serikovich, thesis “Development of a Profitability Forecasting Model in Key Sectors of the Economy to Prevent Labor Market Stagnation and Ensure Sustainable Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan”;
• Media Project of the Year. Best Journalistic Work on MMC in Print and Online Media – KURSIV MEDIA, Creative Team – Dmitry Bilyk (Executive Producer), Gauhar Aldibekova (Author), Stanislav Frolov (Cameraman). Project title: “The Price of Copper: How Kazakh Miners Live and Work.”
• Media Project of the Year. Best Journalistic Work on MMC on TV – Vetlugin Vyacheslav Yuryevich, Khabar Agency JSC, “24KZ” TV Channel. Staff Correspondent, “24KZ” – Report: “Lithium Deposit Exploration and Reserve Assessment in Kazakhstan.”

A special award for industry development and many years of dedicated work was given to veteran of the industry and true professional – Mukhanov Tolegen Mukhanovich, First Deputy Executive Director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, Honored Miner, Member of the National Scientific Council, Academician of the International Engineering Academy.

Four professionals of the industry – K. M. Zhanabekov (“Vostoktsvetmet”), D. S. Ukibaev (Kazakhmys Corporation LLP), A. T. Kadirkulova (Kazzinc-TemirTrans LLP) – were awarded a special state award for their professional achievements in the MMC: the “Enbek Danky” breast badge. In the solemn atmosphere of the evening, the awards were presented by Nikolay Vladimirovich Radostovets, Executive Director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, and Asylbek Zhamashuly Nuralin, Chairman of the Trade Union of Workers of the Mining and Metallurgical Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The unforgettable atmosphere of the evening was created by musical performances from artists of the “Astana Ballet” Theater, employees of Eurasian Resources Group enterprises, and the evening’s headliner – ALEM.

“Golden Hephaestus” is not just an award. It is a symbol of recognition for human labor, engineering thought, and corporate responsibility. In its jubilee year, it once again proved that MMC professions remain in demand, respected, and promising, and their representatives are true heroes of industrial Kazakhstan.

The “Golden Hephaestus” competition is held within the framework of the AMM Mining and Metallurgical Congress. The organizers of the event are the Kazakhstan exhibition company Iteca and its international partner – ICA Events Group.