Nerungri, Russia – December 27, 2010 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and steel companies, announces the collapse of three thickeners at the Nerungrinskaya washing plant of the Yakutugol OAO, the subsidiary of Mechel Mining OAO.

On December 26 at 20:20 local time three thickeners out of 30 collapsed in the washing shop of the Nerungrinskaya washing plant. There were no casualties or injured.

A special commission was set up to determine the reasons and consequences of the accident.

Works were launched at the site to restore heat and energy supply. Operation at the coking coal wash shop at the Nerungrinskaya plant was halted. However, the technological line processing steam coal is operating as scheduled and accordingly, there will be no delays in supply to the energy enterprises.

In order to load the plant’s steam coal processing lines more efficiently, the overburden and extraction plans for the Nerungrinsky open pit are being re-considered. The group plans to step up extraction, processing and shipping of the SS-grade steam coal, which is in steady demand.