Russian Federation’s Industry and Trade Minister Visits Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant

Chelyabinsk, Russia — May 30, 2012 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports the visit of Russian Federation’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov to the construction site for Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant OAO’s universal rolling mill.

Russian Federation’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Georgy Kalamanov, Director of Russian Industry and Trade Ministry’s Basic Industries Department Viktor Semyonov, Director of Russian Industry and Trade Ministry’s Strategic Planning Department Nikolai Kuteyev, Chelyabinsk Region’s First Deputy Governor Sergei Komyakov, Chelyabinsk Region’s Deputy Governors Yuri Klepov and Ivan Feklin, Chelyabinsk Region’s Industry and Natural Resources Minister Vladimir Pavlov and other guests visited Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant as part of a working trip.

The chief of Russia’s industry and trade ministry was accompanied on Mechel’s side by Mechel OAO’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Igor Zyuzin, Mechel-Steel Management OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Andrey Deineko and Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant’s Managing Director Rashid Nugumanov.

As part of the trip, the delegation visited Mechel Group’s chief metallurgical investment project — the universal rolling mill. The guests toured the mill’s first line, including the rail steel producing complex launched early this year. The tour program also included construction of the second line — such as the reheating furnace, the universal rolling mill line itself and the auxiliary area where equipment is assembled.

Russian Federation’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov noted after examining the universal rolling mill’s construction progress:

“Mechel’s launch of a universal rolling mill at Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant will enable Russia to set up production of unique long-sized rails for high-speed traffic. They are unique not only because no one in our country currently produces 100-meter rails, but also because their specifics fully fit the climatic and geographical conditions of use for railroads in our country. Today it is very important to use Russian-made rails both in implementing the Strategy for Developing Russia’s Railroad Transport Until 2030 and in constructing high-speed railroads between cities that take part in the 2018 World Championship. So the project now constructed by Mechel is strategically important for the entire country, it truly has meaning for all of Russia.”

Mechel is one of the leading Russian companies. Its business includes four segments: mining, steel, ferroalloy and power. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, nickel, ferrochrome, ferrosilicon, steel, rolled products, hardware, heat and electric power. Mechel products are marketed domestically and internationally.