Udokan Copper was named the winner in the “Best Employer” category of the Star of the Far East competition. The award ceremony took place on 7 February 2025 at the Russian Government House in Moscow. The Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, Yury Trutnev, presented the award to the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.
The jury evaluated companies in the “Best Employer” category based on the following criteria: contributions to human capital development, the implementation of educational programmes in partnership with regional educational institutions, initiatives to attract employees from other regions (including with the help of government support measures) and corporate social responsibility programmes. Diplomas were awarded to the Inaglinsky Mining and Processing Plant (Kolmar Management Company, Yakutia, a resident of the Yakutia priority development area) and Rusagro-Primorye (a resident of the Mikhailovsky priority development area).
Udokan Copper, which received the highest score in the category, earning a Star of the Far East trophy, is developing Russia’s largest copper deposit, located in the northern part of Zabaikalsky Krai. The project is being carried out in the Zabaikalye priority development area, with an agreement in place to create around 4,500 new jobs during just the first phase of the Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant.
“Millions of residents of the Far East are involved in the region’s development, working at schools and hospitals and building mining and processing plants. I would like to say thank you to all of them. Today, we are recognising those who have made the most consistent contributions to this effort: active, energetic, productive people from various fields,” said Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev.
Udokan Copper provides its employees with comfortable working conditions, timely wages as well as opportunities for professional growth and career development.
The company provides employees with medical insurance that ensures access to treatment across Russia and covers airfare and rail tickets for travel to and from their place of employment. Udokan Copper places a strong emphasis on living conditions, providing its employees with rooms in dormitories with all the necessary amenities. For fitness enthusiasts, the company has outfitted state-of-the-art gyms and outdoor workout areas.
Two on-site clinics operate around the clock, ensuring that workers always have access to medical care. The company also operates a digital healthcare facility with integrated AI technology to provide primary care, medical examinations, screening and health assessment services.
Udokan Copper is developing Russia’s largest copper deposit, located in the northern part of Zabaikalsky Krai. The equipment at the company’s beneficiation plant was commissioned during the Eastern Economic Forum in September 2023, with Russian President Vladimir Putin in attendance. Commercial production of copper sulphide concentrate began in January 2024.
The company is currently designing the second phase of the Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant. Once operational, the plant’s total production capacity will reach approximately 450,000 tonnes. Udokan Copper uses a proprietary, patented flotation-hydrometallurgical processing technology to refine its ores.
The Star of the Far East community business award is presented annually. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of opportunities in the region, to recognise significant contributions by individuals and organisations to the rapid development of the Russian Far East, and to highlight key social and business projects.
