INCO Medal - Winner 2004
Michael D. SopkoOakville, ON
"In recognition of his many contributions to the nickel mining industry and to Inco through his role in leading the company to expand into foreign operations."
Mike Sopko was born in Montreal, Quebec (1939) where he attended McGill University. Dr. Sopko spent his entire 40-year business career at Inco Limited where he held positions of increasing responsibility including manager process technology, manager of the iron ore recovery plant, operations manager of Exmibal (its Guatemalan subsidiary), president of the Ontario Division and corporate vice-president, human resources. He was chairman and CEO of the company from 1992 to 2001. Dr. Sopko is a director of TD Canada Trust Bank and Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation. He is a member of CIM, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. He is past Chairman of the Mining Association of Canada and the Nickel Development Institute.