THE GOLDEN HEPHAESTUS COMPETITION SETS A HIGH BAR FOR SEARCHING FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

Call for applications for participation in the annual «Golden Hephaestus» competition, which is held for the 10th time in succession within the frame of the «Astana Mining&Metallurgy» (AMM) Congress, is being continued. Specialists in the field of geology, mining and metallurgy, representatives of designing, scientific, educational establishments and enterprises, as well as journalists writing about the mining and metallurgical sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan are invited for participation.

The «Golden Hephaestus» competition is highly essential for the participants of the industry. It is the most prestigious award of the republican significance for the mining and metallurgical complex specialists. The first Golden Hephaestus statuette was presented to Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, whereby setting a high level of professional and innovative requirements for the projects of the future competition participants.

Today, more than 350 mining and 270 metallurgical companies with more than 200 thousand employees work in the industry. The competition jury will apprise companies achievements in the mining industry, therefore increasing status and competitiveness of specialists and stimulating them for constant growth and development of their professional skills.

The «Golden Hephaestus» includes 13 nominations: Professional of the year (three nominations), Project of the year, Leader in Kazakhstan content, Scientist and Teacher of the year, Diploma work of the year, Leader of the year in innovations, Media-project of the year (three nominations), Best digital-solution in the mining industry, Best foreign partner.

The call for applications has already been started and will continue till May 20th, 2019. Winners in 13 categories will be defined by the jury consisting of reputable specialists of the industry and representatives of state structures.

The rewarding of winners will take place on June 12 within the frame of the AMM Congress in the Hilton Astana Hotel. Projects, which will win in the competition, will receive the financial award, students will have the opportunity for an internship in significant companies, articles of journalists will be published in international media. The Golden Hephaestus competition is actively supported by the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Eurasian Group (ERG) is the General Partner of the competition.

Organizers of the event - Kazakhstan Exhibition Company Iteca - point to the high interests of participants in the award. In its turn, the winners have noticed, that the award is a recognition of contributed work of a specialist and a team, as well as a display of gratitude from the society and the state as a whole for contribution into the development of the mining industry.

Arnur Aidarkhanov, chief technologist, Tau-Ken Altyn LLP, winner in the Metallurgist of the Year category, the Golden Hephaestus competition. «After this award, the enterprise showed high interest to efficiency. Now, we are working on reduction of prime costs, increase of quality and quantity under the current capacities, I shall notice, that the young specialists give many ideas. This award is a motivation for them and a sign that they can achieve the same recognition as I did. The only thing you need is an effort and love to your work».

Nurassyl Battalgazy, winner in Diploma work of the Golden Hephaestus competition: «This award means a lot for me. My scientific career became more interesting. This very award pushed me to participate in other conferences. I made a report on the respective topic at the «Complex Orebodies 2018» in Brisbane, Australia. I shall notice, that it is not only my efforts but also efforts of my scientific supervisor, Dr.Nasser Madani and the whole School of Mining and Geosciences at Nazarbayev University».