Eero Mäkinen Silver Merit Medal for Our Board Member, Eeva Ruokonen
Our board member, Eeva Ruokonen, received the Eero Mäkinen Silver Merit Medal in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the mining industry. The prestigious award was presented at the annual meeting of the Finnish Association of Mining Professionals on March 28, 2025.
The Finnish Association of Mining Professionals annually awards the Eero Mäkinen Silver Merit Medal to honor the memory of Eero Mäkinen, a developer of Finland’s mining industry. The association established the silver merit medal bearing Mäkinen’s name in 1955. The medal can be awarded to a member of the association or a non-member in recognition of:
• Significant contributions to the activities of the association or support of its objectives.
• Distinguished work in the mining industry and related research.
Our board member, Eeva Ruokonen, received the Eero Mäkinen Silver Merit Medal No. 72 at the annual meeting of the Finnish Association of Mining Professionals on March 28, 2025.
Impressive Career in Leading Mining and Metallurgical Companies
D. Sc. Eeva Ruokonen is a seasoned professional in the mining and metallurgical industry with a strong academic background. She earned her doctorate from the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University in 2022. She also holds a licentiate degree in mining engineering and a master’s degree in engineering from Helsinki University of Technology. Additionally, she enhanced her expertise at the University of Oulu with a Master of Business Excellence diploma in 2000.
Ruokonen has served as a board professional at Endomines Finland Oyj, Arvo Metals Oy, Suomen Malmijalostus Oy, and Nordic Talc Oy. Throughout her career, she has held demanding leadership positions in several leading companies in the industry, often in the field of sustainability. She has advanced Talvivaara’s sustainable development efforts in turbulent conditions and has been responsible for environmental and safety matters at ABB, Boliden, and Outokumpu. Additionally, she has worked as an independent consultant, helping companies with environmental management and sustainability.
“Although Eeva’s career has been very impressive so far, she has not forgotten to develop the industry through volunteer work. She has served as a board member, vice-chair, and eventually chair of FinnMin – Mining Industry Association, on the board of Vuorimiesyhdistys promoting networking and skills development related to geology and mining, and in the Sustainable Mining Network as a board member and working group chair,” added the chairman of Finnish Association of Mining Professionals Pentti Vihanto at the association’s annual meeting when presenting Ruokonen with the industry’s most prestigious merit medal.
“It is a great privilege to receive this esteemed merit badge, which reminds us not only of achievements but also of the values and traditions that the Finnish Association of Mining Professionals upholds. This recognition is not just a personal acknowledgment for me and other medal recipients, but especially a tribute to all miners – colleagues and mentors – who have supported and encouraged us along the way. I wear this merit badge with great pride and gratitude,” Ruokonen said at the event.
