A ceremonial awards event was held in Kryvyi Rih to honour outstanding employees of Metinvest enterprises who have made a significant contribution to their development and growth. This year, the honorary title “Metinvest Coryphaeus” was awarded to 39 company retirees, 11 of whom are former employees of Northern, Central and Inhulets Iron Ore Plants.
Over the course of several decades of service, they progressed from young specialists to mentors for entire generations. On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Metinvest Group, representatives of its “golden fund” – experienced and dedicated professionals whose expertise has set a benchmark for thousands of industry workers – were honoured in Kryvyi Rih. The “Metinvest Coryphaeus” project has been implemented for the second consecutive year across all Ukrainian enterprises of the company.
“Our new project was inspired by individuals whose work truly merits the highest recognition. These are individuals who have already completed their active professional careers, yet whose contribution is so substantial that it has become an enduring part of Metinvest. Behind each nominee’s name lie years of dedicated service, complex managerial and production decisions, a readiness to support their teams, and an example set for younger generations of employees. It is precisely thanks to such people that the company’s culture is shaped, and that experience, knowledge and values are passed on, laying the foundation for our resilience and development,” noted Mykhailo TSURKAN, Head of Trade Union Relations at Metinvest.
Among those present at the ceremonial event were miners and metallurgists, electrical fitters and mechanics, machine operators, drivers, economists and managers. Behind them are decades of service, significant professional achievements, and invaluable experience that is now being passed on to new generations of specialists. The company emphasises: it was these people who laid the foundation of modern production, which continues to operate even amidst the conditions of war and ongoing challenges.
“Dear all, we sincerely thank you for your wisdom, support, experience, and exemplary contributions! You have taught us important things that are especially needed now, during the war: the importance of unity, cohesion, care, and dedication to one’s work. It is you who have formed the professional gold standard of Kryvyi Rih’s iron ore enterprises. And in your well-earned retirement, you continue to remain engaged in the life of the plants, always ready to offer support or advice to your successors and younger colleagues. Your contributions continue to be recognised today when it comes to supporting the front and your volunteer achievements. Your contribution to this noble cause is invaluable!" said Ihor TONIEV, General Director of Metinvest’s Integrated Iron Ore.
Each honouree has their own professional journey. Mykola Kozak dedicated 30 years of service to Inhulets Iron Ore. He began as a trainee and later became a drilling rig operator and an instructor who trained young people. Over the years, he has received numerous professional honours, including the “Metinvest Gold Star” and the title “Best Employee of the Mining Industry.”
"I worked as a drilling rig operator at Inhulets open pit mine. I started out as a junior trainee, and within two years I had already been appointed as a team leader. I held this position for seventeen years. Prior to his retirement, he served as a drilling instructor operator. We always got on well with our colleagues, as the team felt like a second family to us. I am still in touch with many of my former colleagues; we volunteer together and support our defenders on the front line,” said Mykola KOZAK, holder of the “Metinvest Coryphaeus” title.
Viktor Popenko devoted more than 44 years of service to Northern Iron Ore. After graduating from the Mining Institute, he joined the enterprise as an assistant excavator operator and later rose through the ranks to become head of the Hannivskyi open pit and a mentor to young professionals. His awards include the V.І. Luchytsky Medal, the “Person of the Year” gold badge, the “For Merits to the City” badge of the 2nd and 3rd classes, and the “For Merits to the Ternivskyi District” distinction.
"Over the course of my career, I have held nearly every position involved in open-pit mining operations. My professional career began as an excavator operator assistant , after which I progressed to the position of mining foreman and subsequently to site manager. For a certain period, I worked as Deputy Head of the Plant’s Labour Department, after which I returned to the open pit mine as Deputy Chief Engineer for drilling and blasting operations, ultimately progressing to the position of Head of the Hannivskyi open pit mine. To me, the plant is above all its people – a team that can handle any task set before them," says Viktor POPENKO, a “Metinvest Coryphaeus” title holder.
Zoya Pozharska, head of the Nechaiev work dynasty with 160 years of combined service, retired from her position as Assistant to the General Director of Central Iron Ore. During her work, Zoya Pozharska was responsible for social matters and cooperation with local communities. She was awarded the “For Merits to the City” badge, 1st, 2nd and 3rd class.
“My plant became like a second home to me and I am truly grateful to the people I met along the way. I think of each of them with warmth today. These were wonderful years, and I am fortunate to have worked at Central Iron Ore. I am very grateful to the organisers of the event for bringing us all together. And although I have been retired for two years now, I feel as though I have found my wings again. I would like to wish everyone – both my dear colleagues and Metinvest – success and the strength to endure these challenging times with dignity. As well as health, happiness, a bright future, peace, and victory." said Zoya POZHARSKA, holder of the title “Metinvest Coryphaeus”.
This year, retirees from Northern Iron Ore have also joined the ranks of the Company’s distinguished honourees: Viktor Hudovych, a crusher operator at CP‑1 with 35 years of professional experience; Sofia Nazirova, Head of the Museum of Labour Glory of the Plant Administration, who devoted 47 years of her life to her work; Volodymyr Trebukh, an sinter operator at Pelletising Shop No. 2 with 42 years of service at the enterprise; and Vadym Stupak, a bulldozer operator in the open pit mine and on the dumps of Mining and Transport Shop No. 2 with 32 years of service.
From Central Iron Ore,the following employees were honoured: Viktor Kostenko, a locomotive crew instructor at the Railway Transport Department, with 30 years of service at the enterprise; Klavdiia Kosterina, who worked for 33 years as a sampler in the Sanitary and Environmental Laboratory; and Vasyl Patrechenko, Head of Networks and Substations Shop and founder of a labour dynasty, with 48 years of service across Metinvest Group enterprises.
Well‑deserved recognition was also given to Nadiia Kovalenko, who served as Deputy Head of the Health Department at Inhulets Iron Ore and later headed the enterprise’s pensioners’ organisation.
At Metinvest, it is emphasised that even after retirement, these distinguished employees remain part of a large professional family, and their experience continues to help preserve industry traditions and drive production.
