THREE Compass Minerals apprentices were recognised by the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers in an annual competition.

Daniel Jones, Daniel Worthington and Jay Whinnett, engineering apprentices at Compass Minerals’ Winsford mine, entered the J F Tunnicliffe & C S Littlewood paper competition – an annual event held at the University of Leeds on February 22.

Competitors must produce and deliver a 15-minute presentation on a topic related to the mining and minerals industry.

Winners from the competition go through to the regional final of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Young Persons Lecture competition and also have the opportunity to present at the annual competition at the National Mineral Resources University (University of Mines) in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Although they did not win, the judges made a special comment on their presentations describing them as professional and confident in answering their respective questions.

Gary Sinclair, Compass Minerals mine manager, said: “It was clear that all three had researched their topics to an exceptional level, and as a result, they will each be awarded a cheque for £100. I have been present at many of these competitions, but it is the first time this has happened and I am delighted for them.”

The company established its four-year engineering apprenticeship programme in 2011.

The three apprentices are in their second year of the programme at the Compass Minerals mine. They are also studying multi-disciplined electrical and mechanical engineering at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Gordon Dunn, Compass Minerals managing director, said: “We have some outstanding trainers on site who deliver the highest levels of training to our future engineers. It is really good to see our apprentices recognised by the Institute, and to receive positive feedback on our apprenticeship programme.”