GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS: TRIUMPH OF PROFESSIONALISM AND TALENT IN THE MMC

ON JUNE 6, 2024, THE 14TH NATIONAL MINING AND METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN ASTANA, WHICH IS HELD ANNUALLY AS PART OF THE ASTANA MINING & METALLURGY (AMM) CONGRESS. THIS EVENT IS NOT JUST AN AWARD CEREMONY, BUT A VIVID DEMONSTRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINING AND METALLURGICAL COMPLEX OF KAZAKHSTAN. THE PERMANENT PARTNER OF THE GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS INDUSTRY COMPETITION IS THE EURASIAN RESOURCES GROUP (ERG).

The mining and metallurgical complex forms up to 10% of the entire economy of Kazakhstan. At the same time, only about 277 thousand people work in this industry, or about 3% of the country’s entire army of hired workers. This makes every skilled worker in the mining and metals industry even more valuable and important not only for an individual enterprise, but also for the development of the economy as a whole. Their hard work deserves to be recognized and appreciated, as evidenced by such revered awards as the Golden Hephaestus.

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, which is 40% more than last year (2023 - 153 applications).

Participants will be awarded in 15 categories, aimed at further increasing the popularity of the mining and metallurgical complex. Nominations will allow participants to show their professional skills in different areas of the industry, helping to increase the prestige of professions, inspiring new specialists to develop and improve in the mining and metallurgical complex.

There will be six awards in the Professional of the Year category – Geologist of the Year, Miner of the Year, Metallurgist of the Year, Pitman of the Year, Processor of the Year and Women in MMC. These awards not only recognize the outstanding achievements of professionals in each category, but also highlight the importance of their work to the development of the entire industry. Laureates will receive well-deserved recognition for their contributions, which will contribute to the growth of their professional authority and inspire other professionals to new achievements.

Journalists writing about the mining and metallurgical industry in Kazakhstan, employees from the educational, research, design and entrepreneurial areas of the MMC will be awarded in the categories: Best Social Project, Leader of the Year in Industrial Safety, Mentor of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Graduation Work of the Year, Media Project of the Year. The best journalistic work about the MMC in print and online resources, Media Project of the Year. Best journalistic work about MMC on TV, Best digital solution in MMC (special nomination from ERG, the General Partner of the Award), Best ESG strategy.

The innovation of the competition this year was the increase in cash prizes in the following categories: Graduation Work of the Year - 300,000 KZT, Teacher of the Year - 500,000 KZT, Best journalistic work about MMC in print - 300,000 KZT, Best journalistic work about MMC on TV - 300,000 KZT. An increase in awards in these categories motivates media representatives to inform society and young people about the importance of mining and metallurgy complex and also to engage in scientific and research works in this area.

An important element of the competition in 2024 will be strengthening interaction between the media and MMC companies. The AMM Congress will include exclusive events specially organized for media representatives. On June 6, key and industry media in Kazakhstan will consider important issues and share their experience with the press services of ministries, national companies and large MMC organizations at a press breakfast. On June 7, in the Amphitheater area, the winners of the Golden Hephaestus industry competition will share their successful experience of participating in the competition, motivating students and young professionals to great achievements. Also, on the second day of the congress there will be PR training, where experts will discuss a new direction in PR - National Identity of MMC.

Golden Hephaestus is not just a competition, but a platform for uniting MMC specialists, recognizing their contribution to the development of the industry and inspiring new generations.

The competition was 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).