A special commission set up by the State Technical Inspection Agency will investigate the causes of what happened, but the need to tighten technical safety in the sector, continue to modernise production and introduce safer technologies is already clear.
The President also noted the importance of strengthening the sector economically. Mr Putin agreed that resolving such large-scale problems will require support from the federal authorities and called on the government, the regions and the mine owners to tackle these tasks together.
As he presented the awards, the President expressed his admiration for the courage, professionalism and endurance of those who found themselves at the epicentre of events at the Zapadnaya Mine.