Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Dear friends,

I warmly congratulate everyone working in mines, open pits, and processing plants, as well as those involved in training personnel for the coal industry and producing mining equipment.

This holiday is widely celebrated across all our regions where coal is mined, honouring those who have dedicated themselves to the demanding, challenging and arduous work of mining.

Your achievements play a crucial role in strengthening Russia’s fuel and energy potential and, of course, in ensuring the economic and social well-being of towns and communities, as well as improving people’s standard and quality of life.

The state, in partnership with businesses and management teams, will do everything necessary to ensure the stable, long-term development of the coal industry and to support the workforce of coal-mining companies.

We will continue to modernise transport infrastructure and logistics, including expanding the capacity of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal-Amur Mainline, as well as other railways, increasing the throughput of seaports and terminals, and actively promoting coal products in domestic and foreign markets.

I know that miners work with unwavering dedication. In our country, miners’ labour has always been held in high regard. This year marks the 90^th anniversary of the world record set by the legendary brigade of Alexei Stakhanov, which produced 102 tonnes of coal in a single shift – nearly 15 times the established production norm at the time.

This achievement was the result of an innovative approach to labour organisation. The miners of Donbass demonstrated that work could be carried out much more efficiently and effectively. The day of the Stakhanovites’ labour feat became a national miners’ holiday. Officially established 12 years later, it was celebrated across the country on the last Sunday of August.

We continue this glorious tradition. Today is a wonderful occasion to extend our warmest greetings to miners. Dear friends, you possess a strong and resolute character. You can always be relied upon. Your loyalty to the labouring brotherhood speaks of the dignity of a true worker. All these qualities, along with pride in your profession, are passed down from generation to generation.

Once again, I congratulate everyone working in the regions where our coal basins are located – from the Far East and the Arctic to Siberia and southern Russia. Special words of gratitude for your productive labour go to the miners of Kuzbass, where more than half of Russia’s coal is extracted. And, naturally, to the miners of our heroic Donbass, who work under the most difficult conditions, setting an example of resilience and reliability.

I wish all miners and coal industry workers in Russia good health, prosperity and continued success.

Happy Miner’s Day!