OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2012. Uralkali (LSE: URKA, “the Company”) held I Regional Conference on Mining Equipment Safety. The Conference was supported by RosTechNadzor (the State Supervising authority) West Urals Administration.

Besides Uralkali’s experts and RosTechNadzor West Urals Administration officers, the Conference was attended by representatives of machine building companies, mining companies and research institutions.

Stanislav Matsov, RosTechNadzor West Urals Administration Deputy Head, thanked Uralkali for the Conference venue, as well as for the opportunity to see modern mining equipment and conveyors directly in Berezniki-4 Mine. Stanislav Matsov emphasized that relationship would be changed between RosTechNadzor and companies. Thus certain RosTechNadzor's functions will soon be shifted to producers themselves.

– My opinion is simple: it is the right way. Locally, companies know better what is the most efficient way to proceed, – commented Mr. Matsov. – In terms of industrial safety we are sure that when an industrial control system is in place, the proposed delegation of authorities will give the results we expect.

At the Conference, accidents and injury review at mining companies since 2013 was presented. In addition, compliance with industrial safety requirements was addressed in relation to mining equipment operation.

Gennady Trifanov, PhD, Technical Sciences, Associate Professor at Perm National Research Polytechnic University, reported on diagnostic designs to be employed to prevent accidents at mine hoists. Andrey Grekhov, Uralkali Chief Mechanic Engineer, pointed out that one of the Company's most up-to-date equipped divisions – Department for Equipment Monitoring, Adjustments and Examination – performs efficiently in this field.

– Uralkali is ready to support financially state-of-the-art scientific research, to purchase modern equipment but that is not a target in itself, - said Mr. Grekhov. – Just by way of replacing of one unit with another we will not improve our safety level. It is a comprehensive task including staff training issues and people's responsibility enhancing for the work they perform. Today we analyze the whole cycle of equipment starting from installment till possible use of elements left after its demolition.

Mr. Matsov, RosTechNadzor West Urals Administration Deputy Head, noted that such conferences will become regular.

Stanislav Seleznev, Uralkali Director of Health, Safety and Environment Protection:

– Our co-operation with RosTechNadzor is close and fruitful and it was our pleasure to arrange such a Conference at Uralkali. Our Company's experience is extensive in the field of mining equipment diagnostics and accident level lowering and we suppose it is worth sharing our knowledge. Regarding the expansion of corporate responsibility while assuming part of RosTechNadzor functions, I suppose that our Company will not face any significant changes and our department will perform even more efficiently.