In Kazakhstan: miners’ work is glorious

Karaganda is called the miners’ capital of Kazakhstan for a reason. The country’s largest industrial city is bound to the coal mines by its birth and reputation. Its 70-year plus history was created by the miners’, through their work and concerns. Therefore, a professional holiday for miners, traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of August, is truly the favourite festival for all citizens of the region…

During the Miners’ Day, the best workers are honoured at the miners’ collectives of the Coal division and the ‘Severniy Kuzbass’. They were awarded with gifts and bonuses. The Kazakhstan opera singer, Zhamilya Baspakova (daughter of a metallurgist from ArcelorMittal Temirtau), the laureates of international competitions, V. Stupin, Zh. Orinbasarov and other famous singers and dancers entertained the miners and their families. The more solemn meetings and the sports competitions were held in the miners’ townships at the company’s offices.

Addressing participants at the function, ArcelorMittal Kazakhstan CEO, Dr. Frank Pannier, commented: “Both the steel and mining businesses are still shaky from the trembling global economy. This has had – and still has – an impact on everybody’s lives. We have had to cut our expenses by a maximum amount. But we have managed to maintain employment and we are implementing our investment programme, which is focused on safer working conditions.”

Collaboration: Nikolay Kubrakov, ArcelorMittal Kazakhstan