Winners of the 8th Russian Mining Excellence Awards confirmed

The winners of the 8th Russian Mining Excellence Award have been announced on 9 October 2014 at the Gala Dinner of the MINEX Russia Mining and Exploration Forum in Moscow.

The Award finalists were presented with honorary diplomas. The winners have received the handmade bronze sculpture of a Miner set on the semiprecious stone plinth and a metal plated plaque commemorating their Mining Champion Status in Russia’s most prestigious mining industry award.

THE WINNERS OF THE 8TH RUSSIAN MINING EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE

EXPLORER OF THE YEAR – The Petropavlovsk Group of Companies

The Petropavlovsk Group of Companies is actively exploring prospective areas in the vicinity of its four operating gold mines: Pokrovskiy, Pioneer, Malomir and Albyn. 2013 was another successful year for the Group’s exploration teams: the Group identified approximately 180 tonnes of new, non-refractory gold resources. During 2014, the Group continued to build on this success: of the resources identified in 2013, approximately 96 tonnes have already been classified in accordance with the JORC Code.

MINING PROJECT OF THE YEAR – Polymetal International plc

Polymetal International plc is the first, and so far the only, company in Russia and the CIS to use the process of pressure oxidation (POX) to recover gold from refractory ore concentrate. This technology is used at the Amursk hub (in the Khabarovsk Territory). It has enabled the development of the refractory gold ore deposits in the Far East, which until now have not been developed due to the absence of a suitable processing technology. The Amursk hub achieved its design throughput and recoveries in Q4 2013. In 1H 2014, gold production was 115 Koz (an increase of 179% compared to the same period in 2013) while the average recovery was 93%.

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR- Baring Vostok

For the investment in the Tigers Realm Coal project

HR PROJECT OF THE YEAR – Kinross Gold Corporation

Awarded for the establishment and development of a certified professional training centre at Kupol.  The Kupol training centre provides 39 certified core training programs and 4 skill improvement courses. A total of 357 employees completed professional training on core educational programs at the Kupol training centre in 2013. In total, 416 professional qualifications were awarded and 139 licenses to operate machinery and equipment issued. The training centre provides its input to the development of a new generation of skilled professionals for the mining industry in Russia. Learn more about the Kupol training centre at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vy2cmuKWC0

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR – Uralkali

Awarded to Uralkali for implementation of a number of environmental, social and infrastructure projects aimed at improving the quality of life in the region where they operate. In 2013, several significant programmes have been initiated and completed like a project to develop child and youth basketball, creation of Berezniki-Solikamsk Agglomeration Master Plan and funding for the programme of resettlement of slum housing.

MINING LEGEND – Vadim Tumanov


About the Russian Mining Excellence Awards

The Russian mining industry has much to be proud of and deserves greater recognition for its contribution of to the country’s economic growth and development of best practices in responsible management of planet’s largest wealth of natural resources. MINEX Russian Mining Excellence Award was established by the MINEX Russia Forum in 2007 with the aim to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in the Russian mining and geological industry. The Awards Criteria and Categories are themed differently every year and designed to stimulate peer-to-peer competition for the right to be nominated as Russia’s mining champion. The award has become an instant success by offering an unbiased and independent platform for highlighting success stories and awarding Russian and International companies and managers for their outstanding achievements in improving mining industry standards and practices in Russia. MINEX is Russia’s leading mining and exploration Forum and as such continues to provide the latest and most useful information to help miners become more productive. This role places MINEX Russia Forum in an excellent position to host awards that champion a safe, sustainable and more productive industry. Russian Mining Excellence Awards are open to local and international businesses operating in Russia and are run by a group of independent Awards Committee members which ensures the Award’s credibility and highest industry esteem.

8th Russian Mining Excellence Award website – http://www.minexrussia.com/2014/russian-mining-award/

For further information please contact MINEX Russia 2014 Forum organising committee:

In London – Tel. +44 207 520 9341 or in Moscow – Tel: +7 (495) 249 49 03 or

Email: [email protected]