Moscow, Russia – January 3, 2011 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces the appointment of Sergey Zorin as acting General Director of Mechel Energo OOO.

Victor Gvozdev is relieved from the post of Mechel Energo OOO’s general director due to a malfunction in the Southern Kuzbass Power Plant’s operations during New Year’s holidays. The malfunction has been promptly fixed and will not significantly affect heat and electricity production.