A week-long training session for students of Metinvest Politechnic was held in Kryvyi Rih. For several days, future specialists immersed themselves in real production processes at the enterprises of Metinvest Group. The practice was held not only for students majoring in mining and beneficiation, but also, for the first time, by students of the technical majors "Engineering of Power Supply and Electromechanical Systems in Metallurgy and Mining" and "Energy Efficient Technologies in Power Supply Systems of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises".
Among the bases of the laboratory and training session were Northern, Ingulets and Central Iron Ore. The program of the session included lectures, thematic master classes, excursions to production and, most importantly, laboratory work directly in production shops and landfills. Students investigated the features of external and internal power supply of open pit mining, studied the structure of electromechanical equipment, analysed the temperature modes of operation of electrical equipment elements using thermal imagers. Special attention was paid to the issues of energy efficiency, energy distribution technologies at the open pit mines of Kryvbas, the features of mining machines and the functioning of electrical substations.
At the same time, students majoring in "Mineral Processing" also underwent their practice. They immersed themselves in ore beneficiation technologies, got acquainted with the full cycle of concentrate production, studied the technical characteristics of crushing, sorting and beneficiation equipment. Part of the laboratory classes was focused on determining the quality indicators of raw materials, working with modern means of control, as well as studying the impact of the parameters of the beneficiation process on production efficiency. The students immediately applied the acquired knowledge in the laboratories of enterprises and technological sections of the plants.
The training took place under the supervision of experienced specialists of enterprises and teachers of the university. One of the key modules of the session was implemented on the basis of the training centre of Central Iron Ore, where future masters worked out the topics of industrial networks, power supply to open pit mines and modernization of the infrastructure of mining enterprises.
Artem RUKHLOV, Associate Professor of the Department of Automation, Electrical and Robotic Systems of Metinvest Politechnic, emphasizes the importance of training specialists in the electric power industry:
"Energy engineering is not only the basis for the smooth functioning of enterprises, but also a key direction in the post-war recovery of the country. Today we are forming a new generation of engineers who not only know theory, but are able to work effectively with modern equipment in real conditions. This is critically important – both for enterprises and for the economy as a whole."
Vasyl KINSHAKOV, a second-year student majoring in power supply engineering, believes that the future lies in the modernization of equipment and independent energy supply, in particular, solar substations. The man has been in the profession for more than a decade and a half, but he is not going to stop developing. He says that now he clearly knows what he is studying for and what knowledge he wants to get.
"Now I am mastering the bachelor's program, and next year I will defend my thesis. As of today, I already roughly understand what I will work on. There are two topics that interest me: the feasibility of using a frequency converter at the pumping substation, and I also have my own ideas for the modernization of equipment," says Vasily KINSHAKOV, a student of Metinvest Politechnic, an electrical fitter from Central Iron Ore.
During the offline session, student Viktor LUKASH, who combines his studies at the university with work at InGOK had the opportunity to talk live with his curator, teacher of Metinvest Politechnic – Artem RUKHLOV:
"I was impressed by the depth of knowledge and professionalism of my curator, when he communicated with the leading specialists of the open pit mine with interest. In general, the technologies that the iron ore workers showed us are familiar to me. But at the Hannivske open pit mine, we saw a crawler excavator, which, for example, does not exist at Inguletsky open pit mine. But the most valuable thing in the offline format is live communication and the opportunity to get to know colleagues and teachers better.
According to the participant of the field session Dmytro PETROVYKH, who currently works as an electrical fitter on duty and for the repair of equipment of Northern Iron Ore, this form of training is a good idea and an exceptional opportunity to get acquainted with new production sites.
"For a long time I worked as an electric and gas welder at Ingulets Iron Ore. But due to the redistribution of the workload of the plants, I switched to Northern Iron Ore, but in the second specialty, which I will master in more detail at Metinvest Politechnic. In my case, when I cannot always attend online classes due to work, the recorded material contained on the learning platform helps a lot," Dmytro PETROVYKH shared.
Metinvest Politechnic is convinced that such practical sessions are an integral part of the training of highly qualified specialists. The university's educational model, integrated with the production capabilities of Metinvest's enterprises, provides students with a unique opportunity to combine academic knowledge with real professional experience – even before receiving a diploma.
Metinvest Politechnic is the first private mining and metallurgical university in Ukraine founded by Metinvest Group. Training programs are focused on the needs of modern industry, and practice at the Group's production sites allows students to have a deeper understanding of the profession and start their careers with confidence.
