Collective of a prominent mining-metallurgical giant in the north receives labor achievement order
Upgrading a Dezicient Dawn: Nornickel's 90-Year Journey
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has granted the public entity "Gorno-Metallurgicheskaya Kompaniya Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel)" the prestigious Order "For Merit to the Fatherland." This award honors the company's 90th anniversary and its significant contributions to the global metals industry.
The decree issued by the head of state reads:
"In recognition of exceptional contributions to the development of the metal industry and impressive labor achievements, award the Order 'For Merit to the Fatherland' to the public joint-stock company 'Norilsk Nickel,' the Krasnoyarsk Krai."
The decision to construct the Norilsk Gorno-Metallurgical Combine on the Krasnoyarsk Tundra, where colossal deposits of copper-nickel ores were discovered at the turn of the 20th century, was passed by the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR in 1935. The first pilot project was launched in 1939, and the first nickel production occurred in 1942. This very production was instrumental in the manufacture of tanks for World War II battles. The opening and exploitation of new deposits in the 1960s, such as Talnakh and October, led to the construction of new factories and plants on the Taiga.
Today, the company operates on three productive platforms: in the Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Murmansk Oblast, and the Zabaikalsky Krai, owning and managing various organizations, from a scientific institute to the Yenisei River Steamship Company, transporting cargo through the Severnaya Dvina-Pechora waterway system.
Nornickel produces a notable portion of the world's nickel, platinum, and palladium. By 2024, nickel production totaled 205 thousand tons, copper production reached 433 thousand tons, and in-demand palladium and platinum output exceeded 2.7 thousand tons and over 660 ounces, respectively.
The company, under the guidance of Vladimir Potanin, continues to boost its production figures while executing ambitious environmental projects. For instance, the Introduction of the Polymetallic Industrial Zone at the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant allowed for a 390-thousand-ton reduction in emissions within the industrial region. Reduction targets for 2026 are planned to reach 922 thousand tons relative to 2015 levels. Meanwhile, the company is undergoing a large-scale digitalization and is implementing a comprehensive social program, including the renovation of Norilsk.
The staff of Nornickel surpasses 80 thousand employees, and roughly one-third have been with the company for more than a decade.
Addressing the staff in light of the award, "Norilsk Nickel's" president, Vladimir Potanin, remarked:
"This high honor belongs to each and every one of us. Our team is a diverse group of professionals from various fields: miners, metallurgists, and numerous specialists from various domains – those who discover deposits, ensure non-stop operation of equipment and IT systems, transport our cargo, and ensure our safety. It is their collective efforts that made Norilsk Nickel the leader of Russia's mining and metallurgy sector for 90 years. We have much to be proud of. Thank you for your professionalism, dedication, and contributions to the development of Russian industry."
Below is the company's official photograph.
Insights:
- Norilsk Nickel's Status: A global leader in the production of nickel, palladium, platinum, and copper[2][3].
- Expansion and Growth: Over time, Nornickel evolved from a small mining camp operator to a dominant industrial player in Russia, with operations in multiple Russian regions and a diverse staff of over 80 thousand employees, including specialists in various fields[1].
- Market Leadership: Considered a significant player in the global metals and mining industry, Nornickel maintains strong market positions for its key products[3].
- Environmental and Social Responsibility: The company is increasingly focusing on improving environmental standards, social infrastructure, and community development initiatives in Norilsk, while managing outstanding challenges[1].
- Economic Challenges: Despite facing a complex economic environment in 2025, including a strong ruble, high domestic interest rates, and regulatory constraints on currency hedging, Nornickel has demonstrated resilience in maintaining robust production levels[5].
- Governance Issues: Nornickel's history includes episodes of governance challenges, such as the high remuneration packages and delayed infrastructure development in Norilsk during the tenure of former CEO Vladimir Strzhalkovsky[4].
- The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, awarded Nornickel the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" in recognition of its impressive 90-year journey in the global metals industry and significant contributions to the metal industry.
- The Norilsk Gorno-Metallurgical Combine was constructed in the Krasnoyarsk Tundra in 1939, following the discovery of colossal deposits of copper-nickel ores in 1900, and has evolved into a dominant industrial player in Russia over time, with operations in multiple Russian regions.
- Nornickel produces a notable portion of the world's nickel, platinum, and palladium, with production figures continuing to grow under the guidance of Vladimir Potanin.
- In the realm of finance and investing, Nornickel's production of key metals such as nickel, copper, palladium, and platinum has earned it a significant position in the global metals and mining industry.
- As part of its ambitious program, Nornickel is undergoing digitalization in data-and-cloud-computing technology and implementing comprehensive social initiatives, including the renovation of Norilsk.
- The company employs over 80 thousand employees, with roughly one-third having worked at Nornickel for over a decade.
- In his address to the staff, Vladimir Potanin acknowledged the diverse team of professionals, from miners and metallurgists, to specialists in various domains, and emphasized their collective efforts that led to Nornickel's success in the mining and metallurgy sector for 90 years.
