Anna Estremskaya has been running the Gazimuro-Zavodskoy project in the district of the same-name for two years now. Anna was born in the Novoshirokinskoye settlement and now comes here to work on a rotational basis, on monthly shifts as lead payroll specialist of Bystrinsky GOK. Anna’s love for her homeland inspired her to start an educational project.
– What is the purpose of the project?
– It is designed to preserve the historical and environmental legacy of the Gazimuro-Zavodskoy district. Our team of 12 volunteers, the Green Footprint, has started a project to build an eco-trail on the territory housing the Gazimursky Plant.
The eco-trail covers a specific route that includes locations with notice boards describing events that have happened there. Each notice board features a QR code to the project’s website providing more information about the district.
The website includes details of the location, its history and events that have happened there. We want people to know the chronicle of our land and the development of the mining industry here. So that the people who come work in Gazimur realize that this land has an illustrious history.
The project primarily targets younger generations who, let’s be honest, are unlikely to read books on regional history or rush to a museum, and we offer them an interactive format. Rotational workers also show their interest in the project. We have people coming from all over Russia. We want them to get to know the place where they work.
The eco-trail covers a specific route that includes locations with notice boards describing events that have happened there. Each notice board features a QR code to the project’s website providing more information about the district.
The website includes details of the location, its history and events that have happened there. We want people to know the chronicle of our land and the development of the mining industry here. So that the people who come work in Gazimur realize that this land has an illustrious history.
The project primarily targets younger generations who, let’s be honest, are unlikely to read books on regional history or rush to a museum, and we offer them an interactive format. Rotational workers also show their interest in the project. We have people coming from all over Russia. We want them to get to know the place where they work.
– Are there a lot of memorable places on your map already?
– We have set up two notice boards so far and plan to add another one in 2025. In total, the project is designed to mark five locations on the route. Since the work schedule is arranged on a rotational basis and financing is emerging gradually, the project is not moving fast.
In addition to the website, we also have a Telegram channel. Based on the feedback on Telegram, people are interested in the project. We get beautiful photographs and lots of proposals on where else to set up the notice boards and what else to uncover. Some even ask where we get our inputs for the channel and whether we have details of their last name origins. One of the topics on Telegram channel is dedicated to last names common for the Gazimuro-Zavodskoy district.
When we inaugurate a notice board, we invite kids from the Movement of the First and local residents. We do a ribbon cutting ceremony and have artists from the district Community Center perform for the audience.
On our Telegram channel, we post quizzes on the history of our homeland. In 2024, we held the Silver Smelting drawing contest and handed out awards. Drawings by children and adults were assessed separately. Drawings of all contestants are shown on the second notice board. All these arrangements help bring more attention to the project.
In addition to the website, we also have a Telegram channel. Based on the feedback on Telegram, people are interested in the project. We get beautiful photographs and lots of proposals on where else to set up the notice boards and what else to uncover. Some even ask where we get our inputs for the channel and whether we have details of their last name origins. One of the topics on Telegram channel is dedicated to last names common for the Gazimuro-Zavodskoy district.
When we inaugurate a notice board, we invite kids from the Movement of the First and local residents. We do a ribbon cutting ceremony and have artists from the district Community Center perform for the audience.
On our Telegram channel, we post quizzes on the history of our homeland. In 2024, we held the Silver Smelting drawing contest and handed out awards. Drawings by children and adults were assessed separately. Drawings of all contestants are shown on the second notice board. All these arrangements help bring more attention to the project.
In 2024, the team held the Silver Smelting drawing contest. More than 10 children and three adults participated in the contest.
Preparations for installation of a notice board for the What’s in your name, Gazimur? project
– How is Nornickel helping you?
– The company does not just encourage volunteering but also provides financing for the project. For instance, through the Goodness Factory corporate volunteer program, we make our notice boards in Chita, transport them over a distance of 500 km to the Gazimursky Plant and carry out installation.
Nornickel supports us in everything that we do. Each and every employee of Bystrinsky GOK is willing to help our project, even those who are not volunteers. Quite naturally, many get interested in the project and then get involved in volunteering activities. We have people joining us from very different occupations.
Nornickel hosts regular volunteer assemblies, the last one in the Trans-Baikal Division was held in September. During our joint work and gatherings like this, we get to know each other better, interact casually and become friends. All this brings us and the company closer together.
Nornickel supports us in everything that we do. Each and every employee of Bystrinsky GOK is willing to help our project, even those who are not volunteers. Quite naturally, many get interested in the project and then get involved in volunteering activities. We have people joining us from very different occupations.
Nornickel hosts regular volunteer assemblies, the last one in the Trans-Baikal Division was held in September. During our joint work and gatherings like this, we get to know each other better, interact casually and become friends. All this brings us and the company closer together.
Eco-shift in the Daurian Nature Reserve
Eco-shift in the Daurian Nature Reserve
Eco-shift in the Daurian Nature Reserve
Eco-shift in the Daurian Nature Reserve
– What other projects does your team engage in?
– From 2024, we have been actively involved in the Icebreaker section of the Goodness Factory program. We interact with children temporarily removed from the care of their parents and help them improve their social skills. We taught them the basic household skills: did repairs in their dorms and study rooms, and repotted plants together.
Together with other Bystrinsky GOK workers, we staged a performance about a girl named Ulyana who found herself at the plant. In the stage background, we posted photos of our plant, quarries and machinery. The children got to learn about our operations and the work our people do. We tried to present the material in a way comprehensible to both teenagers and toddlers.
Together with other Bystrinsky GOK workers, we staged a performance about a girl named Ulyana who found herself at the plant. In the stage background, we posted photos of our plant, quarries and machinery. The children got to learn about our operations and the work our people do. We tried to present the material in a way comprehensible to both teenagers and toddlers.
From 2024, the team took patronage over the Semya rehabilitation center in the Novoshirokinsky village.
From 2024, the team took patronage over the Semya rehabilitation center in the Novoshirokinsky village.
From 2024, the team took patronage over the Semya rehabilitation center in the Novoshirokinsky village.
We also helped the rehabilitation center design a sewing workshop and apply for the World of New Opportunities program. The project won the competition which means that next year we will be helping the center organize the workshop.
– How do you personally benefit from volunteering?
– To me, volunteering brings fulfillment. As I work with numbers and estimations, there’s no room for creativity. And each project is a chance to switch to something different, generate new ideas and ways to turn them into life. It stimulates the brain to think unconventionally which is also helpful in performing my main job duties.
Moreover, volunteering brings joy and satisfaction. In 2024, we won first place among the volunteer teams of the Nornickel Trans-Baikal Division for the second year in a row. It motivates for further work. It feels great to give back to your community, be helpful and leave a ‘green’ footprint.
Moreover, volunteering brings joy and satisfaction. In 2024, we won first place among the volunteer teams of the Nornickel Trans-Baikal Division for the second year in a row. It motivates for further work. It feels great to give back to your community, be helpful and leave a ‘green’ footprint.
Photos by Anna Yastremskaya
January, 2025
January, 2025
