Download 2004 Annual Report - Polymetal

Upgrading skillsIn 2004, the company was activelyinvolved in a program to improvethe skills of its employees at itssubsidiary companies. Altogether,1,097 employees (25.2% of the to−tal workforce) participated in vari−ous educational programs duringthe last year. Courses were heldat the Urals National Mining Acad−emy, Krasnoturyinsk IndustrialCollege, the Far East TechnologyCenter (Khabarovsk), KhabarovskEducational Center and other in−stitutions.As part of the program for up−grading skills, in 2004, the com−pany began creating its own edu−cational programs.Attracting youngspecialistsAttracting young, motivated indi−viduals to the company is vital forPolymetal’s future development.In 2004, the company launcheditsYouth, Professionalism, Careerprogram for students at institu−tions of higher learning and youngspecialists in the industry. Theprogram offers internships forthird, fourth and fifth year stu−dents at the company’s facilitiesand prepares these students forfuture employment at Polymetal.Over the course of the year, 44students from the St. PetersburgMining Institute, educational insti−tutions in Ekaterinburg, IrkutskNational Technical University, theNorthern International Universityand a number of other profession−al schools held internships at thecompany. The company conductedpresentations at leading Russianeducational institutions and invit−ed hundreds of young specialiststo join the company as interns oremployees. The program will con−tinue for several years and willimprove the company’s competi−tiveness by attracting young andtalented specialists to the compa−ny. By communicating and sharingtheir experience and knowledgewith established professionals atthe company, professional growthwill occur for all specialists.Social responsibilityDuring 2004, the company de−veloped numerous programs toimprove workers’ motivation andup workplace morale. Currently,steps are being taken to imple−ment the following programs:organizing hospital care andmedial examinations for employ−ees through contracts withSt. Petersburg medical institu−tions;providing full sets of summerand winter corporate clothingfor every employee;organizing summer vacationsfor employees’ children;organizing sports and recre−ational activities for employees(for example, company soccerteams and rental of sports fa−cilities).In 2004, Polymetal and its sub−sidiaries offered sponsorship andcharity to various organizations inthe regions in which they operate.The company is interested in fos−tering favorable social conditionsand upping living standards, notonly for its employees, but also forcitizens in the regions where thecompany’s facilities are located.We intend to continue to imple−ment large−scale sponsorship andcharity projects aimed at develop−ing infrastructure, sports, health−care and culture.In 2004, the company offered aidto kindergartens, schools andsports organizations to organizesports events. It also supportedindividual young athletes as partof the Second Sports Gamesfor Children. The company alsoengaged in programs for warveterans and the disabled and as−sisted regional hospitals and clin−ics. Polymetal, in cooperation withthe Government of the Sverd−lovsk Region, played an active rolein constructing a clinic at theSverdlovsk Regional Hospital. Thecompany also participated in thegovernment−organized Springsof the Urals program. In addition,Polymetal actively reconstructedinfrastructure in the Omsuk−chansk District of the MagadanRegion and helped organize cel−ebrations to recognize the 60thanniversary of victory in WWII.In 2004, companies managed byPolymetal spent approximately500,000 USD on charity andsponsorship activities.Human resources and social responsibility45