Tradition and future - KGHM celebrates the Smelter Worker’s Day

The celebration of the holiday began with a performance by the Głogów smelter’s band together with a group of majorettes in front of KGHM’s head office in Lubin. Then, during an official event, state and industry medals were awarded to KGHM’s employees. The KGHM crew received wishes and congratulations from the most important people in the country.

During the May festivities, gala uniforms referring to metallurgical traditions were presented - the first in the company’s history. They featured, among other things, the symbols of the profession: a hammer and tongs crossed.

Metallurgists’ ranks for distinguished KGHM employees

Also this year, metallurgists’ ranks were awarded for the first time to employees of the company’s metallurgical divisions, among other things in recognition of their outstanding work. Foundry workers can receive, depending on merit or seniority, the following ranks: metallurgist, metallurgical engineer, metallurgical technician, and metallurgical director. KGHM’s initiative has the potential to become a procedure universally adopted throughout the country. The Ministry of State Assets intends to take the obligation to draft a law on the awarding of metallurgists’ ranks and uniforms.

The uniforms are in two colors, the main one being black, which alludes to the depths of the mines and symbolizes the qualities necessary in the jobs associated with KGHM, such as prudence and wisdom. The second color is copper, which alludes to molten metal. The color scheme of the uniform also reflects the colors from the foundry workers’ flag. This is all in accordance with the saying “what the miner mines, the metallurgist will immediately burn.”

“The Copper Belt is a unique place, with unique people and their traditions. At KGHM, the two most important holidays are Barbórka (the miners’ holiday) and the Foundry Workers’ Day. Miners’ uniforms are a part of our Polish tradition. KGHM is adding a new element to it. The smelter workers’ uniforms were prepared and designed by our employees with a sense of pride in their profession, without which KGHM would not exist. I would like to thank everyone involved in this project. We are opening a new chapter in the history of the Polish smelting industry,” said Tomasz Zdzikot, the CEO of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

At KGHM, mining and smelting traditions are equally strongly cultivated. With the smelter workers’ uniforms, we are making up for things that were not done in the past. We must bear in mind that back in the 19th century, smelters mills were called mining plants. Miners, on the other hand, were identified as those who worked underground, but also geologists, surveyors, and those who operated smelter furnaces.

Decorations and congratulations

Congratulations, wishes, and thanks for the daily work of the copper smelter workers were expressed by the invited guests and the most important people in the country. The Marshall of the Sejm Elżbieta Witek wrote in a letter to KGHM smelter workers:

“I send my thanks for the daily effort and hard work. In Poland, the profession of metallurgist was and is synonymous with steadfastness, fortitude, and professional responsibility. I wish the multigenerational community happiness, fulfillment of dreams, and job satisfaction. I wish health, prosperity in daily life, and family happiness to each of you.”

Thanks were also sent by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who emphasized the contributions of smelter workers to the Polish economy:

“I would like to congratulate you on your successes and commitment, thanks to which KGHM has been able to consistently boast over the years being a member of the global elite of the metallurgical industry. Thank you for your reliability and professionalism, and for the challenges you take on. Thank you for your efforts and I wish you continued success and great job satisfaction.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin also sent a letter in which he emphasized the importance of the work of KGHM smelter workers:

“KGHM’s impressive achievements would not have been possible without the professionalism, commitment, and daily hard work of thousands of metallurgists. Today, I would like to give special thanks to those who have contributed to the development of this company over the years. I extend my sincere congratulations to all those awarded anniversary medals. Let them become a modest expression of gratitude for your contribution to KGHM Polska Miedź, a treasure of the Polish economy. I hope that today’s celebration of Smelter Workers’ Day will be a moment of rest and joy, and that the years will bring much prosperity and satisfaction.”

In the letter sent by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Marlena Maląg, she conveyed her good wishes and emphasized KGHM’s role as a responsible employer:

“Our own developed metallurgical industry is a tremendous asset for a country that cares about its development. KGHM is not only the pride of the region, but a jewel in the crown of the Polish economy and one of the world’s most recognizable brands. KGHM is a responsible employer that guarantees employment for more than 34,000 people. I wish the metallurgists safe work and the fulfillment of all their career aspirations. May St. Florian protect you and may love and happiness be present in your homes.”

Thanks for the hard work and effort made by KGHM smelter workers’ every day were conveyed in a letter by Deputy Minister of Education and Science Marzena Machałek:

“Thank you for your commitment and professionalism. Your work has made a significant contribution to the economic development and the prosperity of our country. I wish you success, professional satisfaction, and further development.”

KGHM smelter workers were also addressed in a special letter by the Chairman of Law and Justice Jarosław Kaczyński:

“It is thanks to your efforts and endeavors that Poland occupies a leading place in the production of copper and silver and our national economy can develop dynamically. It is your daily work that forges our security in the mining and processing of these metals. I would like to wish you happiness, health, and happiness, including enjoying as much satisfaction as possible in your professional life. To the Polish Copper Metallurgy, I would like to wish further success and strengthening of its market position.”

“We are among the world’s leading copper producers and have been one of the world’s top three silver producers for years. The KGHM workforce is working hard for this result. Your work and commitment create the company’s success. Words of appreciation and thanks are deserved not only by the individuals honored today, but by all KGHM smelter worker community. Long live our smelter worker community!” said Tomasz Zdzikot, the CEO of KGHM, during the official event.

In a festive setting, in a unique atmosphere, and with the participation of the invited guests - more than 80 KGHM employees also received state decorations, including Medals for Long Service. 12 people received Badges of Honor “For Meritorious Service to the Energy Sector,” and 11 people received Badges of Honor “For Meritorious Service to KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.” 15 metallurgists were awarded metallurgical ranks: level I, II, and III of metallurgy director.

The honored metallurgists included 30 persons celebrating their anniversaries, who were presented with St. Florian statuettes and a congratulatory letter from the CEO of KGHM.

Copper Belt holiday

The Smelter Workers’ Day will be celebrated in a special way in Legnica, the city where KGHM’s oldest smelter is located. The Legnica Copper Smelter is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. On Sunday, May 14, a solemn Mass for smelter workers’ and their families will begin at the Legnica Cathedral at 1 p.m., followed by a Smelter Concert, open to the public, at 7 p.m. The artists who will perform at the Legnica Market Square are Kasia Cerekwicka, Olga Szomańska, Mateusz Ziółko, Łukasz Zagrobelny, and the Symphony Orchestra comprising 25 musicians and conducted by Tomasz Szymuś.

The audience will also see young artists from the region, as well as the Głogów Copper Smelter’s band lead by Bandmaster Bartłomiej Nienartowicz, along with a group of majorettes. The event will be hosted by Małgorzata Tomaszewska and Aleksander Sikora.

Smelters with a quality mark

KGHM owns copper smelters in Głogów and Legnica, and a copper smelter Cedynia - Rolling Mill in Orsk. The production processes carried out in each of those plants are based on different technologies. In 2022, KGHM’s smelters employed more than 3,600 people.

The Legnica and Głogów copper smelters have been awarded the Copper Mark, a prestigious guarantee of responsible manufacturing. The certificate confirms efficient copper production carried out in compliance with the highest standards. Soon the Cedynia Copper Smelter should also join this prestigious group.

In addition to copper, silver, and gold, KGHM’s smelters produce crude lead, refined lead, sulfuric acid, nickel sulfate, and selenium.