People. Time. Metal
At different times in the Company’s history, there have been individuals who transformed it fundamentally: they made new deposit discoveries, drove technology innovation, or multiplied production, charting its course for decades to come. They include managers, scientists, engineers, and geologists. Their vision and efforts were crucial to getting Norilsk Nickel to where it is today.
Nikolay Urvantsev
In 1920, in addition to coal, geologist Nikolay Urvantsev discovered sulphide ores containing commercial grades of copper and nickel in the Norilsk area. The Norilsk‑1 deposit became the main raw materials base of Norilsk Plant for many years. In 1926, Urvantsev discovered the rich Norilsk‑2 deposit. He served as Chief Geologist of Norilsk Plant.
Avraami Zavenyagin
In 1938, Zavenyagin led the construction of Norilsk Mining and Metallurgical Combine. He advocated for locating the full metallurgical cycle in Norilsk, whereas the design envisaged a process limited to the smelting of converter matte. In 1942, Norilsk produced its first metal nickel. In effect, Zavenyagin laid the foundations of the City of Norilsk by selecting its site and formulating the principles of living and working in the Far North. Avraami Zavenyagin was twice awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour.
Georgy Maslov
A geologist after whom the Maslovskoye deposit, part of Nornickel’s South Cluster project, is named. In 1963, he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour for the discovery and exploration of the Talnakhskoye copper‑nickel deposit. The Talnakhskoye deposit still accounts for the bulk of the Company’s balance reserves.
Vladimir Dolgikh
Metallurgical engineer. From 1958 to 1962, he served as Chief Engineer, and from 1962 to 1969, as Director of Norilsk Mining and Metallurgical Combine named after A.P. Zavenyagin. On Vladimir Dolgikh’s initiative and under his leadership, development of the Talnakhskoye deposit began, and advanced metals and mining enterprises were built around it. The new project gave a strong impetus to the development of Norilsk: a cinema, a television centre, a swimming pool, and a music school were built in the city; gas infrastructure expansion began in the Norilsk Industrial District; the Dudinka seaport was prepared for year‑round navigation; and Norilsk Airport became operational. Vladimir Dolgikh was twice awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour.
Boris Kolesnikov
The rapid development of the enterprise and the city is associated with the name of Boris Kolesnikov, who served as Director of Norilsk Plant from 1973 to 1988. This period saw the construction of Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, two new mines, Talnakh Concentrator, and the new Alykel Airport. Nickel and copper production doubled. Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, Nornickel’s largest plant, bears the name of Boris Kolesnikov. In 1981, he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour for outstanding achievements in production.
Andrey Vanyukov
Andrey Vanyukov introduced a new metal smelting method later named the Vanyukov furnace. He revolutionised metallurgy by developing a new smelting method. In 1977, a prototype Vanyukov furnace was installed at Copper Plant. The furnace produced its first tonnes of industrial metal in 1985.
