Barbórka Academy at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

With pandemic restrictions and safety rules in place - the Barbórka academy inaugurated the Miners' Day celebrations at KGHM. This year, as in the previous one, the Barbórka celebrations were limited to the awarding of medals, a mass and the laying of flowers at the Jan Wyżykowski Monument in Lubin.

"Today, for all our successes - in terms of production, safety, good financial results, for many reasons thanks to which we can celebrate and rejoice today - I would like to thank everyone, starting with the employees and managerial staff, but also the entire environment - government administration, local government, the president, parliamentarians, all the institutions with which we cooperate. Barbórka is the miners' holiday, the Copper Miners' Fraternity is the foundation of KGHM, the foundation of our future. Let us rejoice and celebrate this day. May Saint Barbara protect you and your loved ones. Long live the Miners. God bless!" said Marcin Chludziński, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., during the Barbórka celebrations.

Barbórka wishes for the miners of Polish Copper were offered, among others, by Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki. In the video sent, the Prime Minister stressed that "Barbórka is a reminder that to be a miner is not just to have a profession. Being a miner also means being part of a rich culture and tradition. (...) With your commitment and professionalism, you have built one of the most important mining companies in the world. You form a community of work, goals and values. Thank you for that."

Letters to the miners of KGHM were addressed by the most important people in the state.

President Andrzej Duda stressed "On the occasion of Barbórka, the beautiful miners' holiday, I extend my best wishes to all the employees of KGHM. On behalf of the Republic of Poland, I express my great respect and appreciation to the Mining Brotherhood. On behalf of the Republic of Poland, I express my great respect and appreciation to the Miner's Fraternity. I join you in bowing my head before the miners who have gone off to their eternal workday in the service of their fellow countrymen. (...) May St Barbara support you in all your challenges. I wish you safe, peaceful work, health and success in life. May happiness and prosperity reign in your families, your plans and ambitions come true. May the future bring good days. May God bless you!"

In turn, the Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński wished the employees of KGHM" Health, happiness and every good fortune, and the Company continued success. May Saint Barbara protect you! (...) For all these efforts and endeavours we express our enormous gratitude to the past and present members of the KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. community, and to all those who have contributed and continue to contribute to the development of the Polish copper industry. God bless you!".

The employees of KGHM were also thanked and wished in a special letter by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Assets, Jacek Sasin, who wrote: "Today the only word that comes to mind is - thank you. Thank you for your efforts, commitment and dedication to others. For courage and wisdom. For the miner's work and life ethos, cherishing centuries-old traditions and passing them on from generation to generation. I wish you every happiness, health and security".

During the ceremony nearly 70 employees of KGHM received state awards, mining swords and honorary mining swords. The honoured received medals for long service from Minister Adam Kwiatkowski. President Marcin Chludziński also received the Golden Cross of Merit for his contribution to the development of the economy.

On 4 December, a mass for the intention of the miners was planned at St Maximilian Kolbe Church in Lubin. Before noon, delegations from the Headquarters and departments of KGHM will place flowers and bouquets at the Jan Wyżykowski Monument in Lubin.

Due to the pandemic, KGHM's management has decided to cancel the traditional inns and Ladies' nights as well as the Major Fox Parade.

Saint Barbara of Nicomedia, who lived at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. in what was then Syria and Turkey, is the patron saint of "difficult work" professions - miners, steelworkers, sailors, fishermen or soldiers. Around 4 December there are celebrations known as 'Barbórka' - official ones, such as academies, parades, meetings and masses, and various side events.