February 7 is recognised worldwide as the birthday of the fire extinguisher – the very first device that comes to mind when a fire or ignition occurs. But even those of us who conscientiously keep it mounted on a wall or in a car boot often lack the skills to use it properly. In contrast, employees of the structural units of Metinvest’s Iron Ore Plants who have voluntarily joined the fire‑fighting units (FFUs) systematically hone their skills in operating this life‑saving device during regular and comprehensive training sessions.In 2024, the increased risk of emergencies caused by hostilities, which are often accompanied by fires and smoke, prompted the management of Metinvest’s Iron Ore Plants to initiate the establishment and training of voluntary fire‑fighting units in all business units of the plants.The training for volunteers was conducted by in‑house trainers, namely specialists from the departmental fire brigades and the occupational safety service, for whom the teams were int

Modern production requires swift decision-making, a high level of employee qualification, precision and well‑coordinated actions. To meet these challenges, Metinvest – and in particular Integrated Iron Ore – is implementing a major project to upgrade its vocational training tools. Its main objective – amid all the challenges of the war (staff shortages, the energy crisis, production re‑engineering, enhanced safety requirements, etc.) – is to ensure production stability and to preserve the expertise accumulated over many years, while passing it on to new employees in a way that is fast, simple and engaging.The vocational training system at the Iron Ore Plants covers all production and technical areas. It combines solid theoretical instruction with the development of practical skills. Year after year, the plants continue to develop their training base, systematising and expanding the materials that help ensure high‑quality training for specialists.Last year, the renewal of the corporate

Zaporizhstal employee Yurii Snihur joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the very first days of the full‑scale invasion.Yurii Snihur was born and raised in Zaporizhzhia. Here he received a technical education, began his professional path and worked in his field for many years, remaining devoted to his job and to the people around him. In total, he worked for Metinvest Group enterprises for around eight years. First at Zaporizhzhia Refractories, and later at Zaporizhstal. His last working place was at the hot‑rolling shop, where he worked as a roll operator. He was known to his colleagues in his day-to-day work as responsible, disciplined and reliable.“Yurii was always a good colleague; he never refused to help and was attentive and responsible in his work. He had great potential – quick to learn and already performing the duties of a senior roller operator. He truly knew his job and was respected by his colleagues. His death was a severe and irreparable loss for all of

Career choices begin to take shape at school. With this approach, Metinvest Polytechnic has started its series of outreach meetings in various communities. The first stop on the route was the Shyroke community, where the university representatives talked with final-year students. The meeting took place in Lyceum No. 2 and it was dedicated to a conscious career choice. Future applicants got to know about professions in the industries of the future, modern engineering and technical fields, as well as the opportunity to combine studying with their first career steps even before receiving a diploma. During the discussion, speakers told students about the requirements for admission to the university. The main requirement is taking the National Multi-subject Test (NMT); for people in privileged categories and internally displaced persons, a simplified procedure is available. More detailed information is available in the university's admissions office.Viacheslav KAMENETS, Associate Professor

In 2025, Metinvest Group’s Zaporizhzhia Refractories expanded its product portfolio by launching the production of 15 new types of refractory products for lining key units of mining and steelmaking enterprises.Over the course of the year, more than 390 tonnes of newly introduced products were shipped to customers. The new product range has been developed taking into account the production needs of steelmaking and mining enterprises and is aimed at enhancing the reliability and continuity of technological processes. In particular, in 2025, the plant launched the production of suspended andalusite refractories for indurating machines, as well as burner blocks for Metinvest Group’s Central and Northern Iron Ore Plants. For Kamet Steel, the plant established the production of vibrocast lance blocks for the blowing units of ladles in BOF shop, as well as a number of unmoulded refractories, including: slag‑forming mixtures for the CCM mould for high‑carbon steel grades, a heat‑insulating mi

Metinvest’s Northern, Central and Inhulets Iron Ore Plants continue to support the country’s economy during the war. Over the 12 months of the last year, the plants transferred UAH 5.2 billion to budgets at all levels.The principal source of budget revenues in 2025 was the fee for the use of subsoil resources, which amounted to UAH 2.4 billion. A significant share of Consolidated Iron Ore payments relates to the unified social tax, which totalled almost UAH 756 million. Personal income tax amounted to UAH 646 million for the year. Environmental tax and land payments also contributed to the state and local budgets.“We continue to be a pillar of Ukraine’s economy despite all the challenges faced by the mining industry. Today, Metinvest’s Iron Ore Plants remain among the country’s largest taxpayers. These funds contribute to strengthening the country’s defence capability and supporting the social sector, whose backing becomes critically important during armed aggression. We are changing

A recent NV article discussed what Metinvest Group is doing to support Kyiv-based employees who have been left without electricity, water and heating due to Russian attacks.The publication examined how businesses are supporting their employees amid large-scale power cuts in Kyiv and compiled case studies from the country’s largest employers.Kyiv, Kharkiv and the Odesa region recently came close to a blackout: on Saturday, electricity, water and heating were cut off in the capital, and the metro was brought to a halt. While the problems were resolved, the incident highlighted how fragile the situation remains. In Kyiv, not all residential buildings are yet receiving heating, and strict power-cut schedules are still in force. All of this continues to affect employees’ psychological well-being.According to a study by the psychotherapy platform Rozmova, nearly 50% of surveyed specialists reported a deterioration in clients’ emotional well-being towards the end of 2025. Ukrainians are expe

The Second National Forum of Talented Youth brought together over 600 participants from across Ukraine, ranging from winners of international competitions to technical university students who are already working on applied engineering tasks. Among the participants of the large-scale event was Anastasiia Udovytska, a student of Metinvest Polytechnic. Talented young people gathered together to hear an important message: Ukraine needs their knowledge, ambition, and solutions here and now. The Second National Forum of Talented Youth, initiated by the Foundation of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science and Sport, has for the second consecutive year united talented young people from all over Ukraine. During the event, the organisers highlighted that it is the youth who today provides the energy and motivation to fight for Ukraine. The forum welcomed winners of international and all-Ukrainian competitions, prize-winners of WRO 2025 robotics competition, graduates wit

Ukraine can become Europe's industrial partner, due to its favourable location, Europe's largest iron ore resources and the lessons of war, including how to remain competitive amid unpredictability.The pillar of Ukraine's economy is the mining and metals sector, whose weight remains significant despite four years of full-scale war. In 2021, before the 2022 invasion, it accounted for over 10% of Ukraine's GDP and one third of exports. In 2024, these stood at 7.2% and 15.4%, respectively. The war has changed approaches to management and business resilience: enduring requires adaptability, speed of decision-making and focus on internal efficiency."We have lost almost 50% of our business in Ukraine. Despite everything, Metinvest remains the country's largest industrial player. A strong state is impossible without a strong economy, and an economy is impossible without a powerful industrial base," says Yuriy RYZHENKOV, CEO of Metinvest Group, Ukraine's largest mining and metals company, wit

Andriy Zhuk has been appointed General Director of Zaporizhzhia Refractories of Metinvest Group.Andriy Zhuk has over 30 years of experience in steelmaking industry. He began his professional career in the sinter plant of Zaporizhstal, where he progressed from a maintenance fitter to Deputy Head of the Shop for Capital Repairs. Under his leadership, a number of key investment projects have been implemented, including the reconstruction of Blast Furnace No. 4 and Sintering Machine No. 1. Subsequently, he held the positions of Chief Engineer and Director of Engineering at the plant. In 2020, Andriy Zhuk took charge of the repair enterprise Metinvest-Promservice – initially as Technical Director, and from May 2022, during one of the most challenging periods for Ukrainian industry, as its General Director. Under his leadership, the enterprise maintained its production expertise, ensured the stable operation of its maintenance business units, and supported the Group’s steelmaking assets dur