OREANDA-NEWS. August 5, 2011. Prior to Miners Day, which is celebrated in the last Sunday of Sunday, teams that operate mining and excavation machinery have begun to compete for the title of the “Best Mining Crew.”

This is the first such occasion where the workers of Berezniki and Solikamsk mines will participate in an organised contest, held for the first time since the combination of Uralkali of Silvinit. Some 154 miners from 5 mines will be taking part, all of whom display high productivity levels and possess excellent theoretical knowledge, practical skills in the mining process and equipment maintenance skills.

There are two parts to the contest- the practical skills and the core theoretical understanding. The practical side consists of handling mining machinery and the judges will pay particular attention to industrial and occupational safety. During the theoretical part, the participants will answer questions regarding professional conduct and mining safety regulations at Verkhnekamskoye Potash Salts Deposit.

Results will be announced in the form of nominations for best crews for four different categories: Ural-20A(R), Ural-61, Ural-10A(R) and PK-8 machinery. The awards ceremony will be a part of the Miners Day celebrations at the end of August.

Yevgeny Kotlyar, Uralkali Director of Operations:

There always has been an informal competition between Berezniki and Solikamsk miners. For example, in December 2006, Vasiliy Malygin’s team at Solikamsk-2 mine achieved the Russian record for monthly mining tonnage, thus beating the previous record set by Georgy Bereznyatsky’s team at Berezniki-3 Mine in 1976. But in April 2007, the joint team of V.Kraft and A.Gart at Berezniki-4 Mine set yet another record. After Uralkali and Silvinit combination, the Company holds a single professional skills contest for its employees. Now, miners have an opportunity to decide the best current team at the Company’s Solikamsk and Berezniki divisions.