To mark its anniversary, Metinvest honoured retired employees in Kryvyi Rih who helped lay the foundation of the modern Ukrainian mining and metals industry through their dedicated service. These individuals not only worked at the company's enterprises – they lived and breathed their work, putting their heart and soul into it. This year, 40 retired employees with significant professional achievements, industry awards, and peer recognition from across the company’s 11 enterprises were nominated for the Metinvest Luminary Award. The first award ceremony took place in Kryvyi Rih.
"One of the core traditions of our company is to value age and experience and take care of those employees who have devoted decades of their professional lives to the enterprise. From now on, we will annually recognise those whose contributions to the company are among the most significant with the Metinvest Luminary Award. They are our senior colleagues, loyal friends, active and committed retirees, recognised professionals, and true luminaries of the mining industry. Thank you for your wisdom, support, your contribution to the development of our enterprises, your many years of service and exemplary leadership. I know that the hearts of many of you still beat in sync with the heart of the plant. I sincerely wish you peace of mind and energy for all your endeavours in these turbulent times. May your health remain strong, and may each day bring you less worry, more confidence, and care from your loved ones. I wish you long and happy years of life under a peaceful Ukrainian sky," said Ihor TONIEV, General Director of Metinvest's mining and processing plants.
20 best talents from the company's Kryvyi Rih enterprises were honoured with the Metinvest Luminary Award. The award was presented to representatives of various professions – miners and steelworkers, electricians and operators, drivers and economists, mechanics and managers. Some of the awardees come from professional dynasties. Nataliia Poiasok joined Central Iron Ore right after school, eventually becoming a highly skilled professional, a trade union leader, and a key figure in her dynasty with a combined work experience of over 900 years.
"I started as an electrician at a substation, later went to vocational college, and eventually became a foreman. I had excellent mentors – competent engineers. I fell in love with the enterprise, my profession, and my very first job from day one – and that feeling stayed with me throughout all 42 years of my career. I also brought my daughter-in-law to Central Iron Ore. I am very grateful to the company for its attention to us, the retired employees. I wish the enterprise many more years of work and development," said Nataliia POIASOK, recipient of the Metinvest Luminary Award.
Oleksandr Lisniak's years of work were equally remarkable. His employment record contains only one entry about the start of employment – his start at Northern Iron Ore. He came to the plant by referral, became a driver in the utility truck shop, and retired as the chief mechanic of the truck shop. 40 years in the same department – that was Oleksandr Yarovslavovych's career path.
"I started working in the truck shop in 1985 and remained there until I retired. Our team is a connecting link between all departments, because the entire operation of the plant depended on transport. It was exciting when new equipment was introduced, because it contributed to the development of the enterprise. Our people are very close-knit, and young people were always drawn to us. I’ve had an eventful and dedicated working life, and I’m honoured that it has been recognised with such a prestigious award," says Oleksandr LISNIAK, recipient of the Metinvest Luminary Award.
Yevhenii Bekhler worked at Inhulets Iron Ore for 43 years. He began his career as an electrician, later becoming a geophysicist at the rock displacement monitoring service in the open-pit mine, and eventually working as a geophysicist in the Open-Pit Mine Shop. He has many achievements under his belt. He says he is grateful to the company for the opportunity to lead a large team of professionals.
"My job was to apply geophysical methods to assess the quality of raw materials at the mining face and during processing, once they were already on the conveyor system. For over 20 years, I worked on ensuring the stability of open-pit mine walls, slopes, and dumps. He mentored young people and even "raised" a PhD holder in engineering. The team I led was one of the best in Ukraine in our field. And now, when needed, I advise my younger colleagues," said Yevhenii BEKHLER, recipient of the Metinvest Luminary Award.
Metinvest's luminaries are active, goal-oriented people with a wealth of life experience. After retiring from the company, they continue to contribute to Metinvest's development and to supporting Ukraine. They are active volunteers who help the Ukrainian Armed Forces and IDPs in every way possible: weaving camouflage nets, making trench candles, repairing machinery, organising deliveries of essential supplies to [frontline] positions, collecting food parcels, donating blood to save the wounded, and more.
"The awarding of our Luminaries marks the beginning of a series of celebrations for Metinvest’s anniversary. Despite all the challenges of wartime, the company continues to pay special attention to retired employees. We have recently resumed the heartfelt tradition of visiting our retirees on their jubilees to personally congratulate them and thank them for their service. And this year, with particular pride, we introduced a new and important award - the Metinvest Luminary Award. This title represents our highest respect for your work and unparalleled professionalism. I wish you many more years to come, more joyful smiles and faith in a bright future," said Mykhailo TSURKAN, Head of Trade Union Relations at Metinvest Group.
