Moscow, Russia – July 22, 2009 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces new appointments to executive positions at its Beloretsk Metallurgical Plant (BMP OAO) and Vyartsilya Metallurgical Plant (VMP ZAO) steel subsidiaries.

Victor Kamelin (54), who was previously Managing Director of VMP ZAO, has been appointed Managing Director of BMP OAO. Mr Kamelin will succeed Konstantin Nikolin, who will proceed his work in Mechel’s Steel Division, Mechel Management OOO. Sergey Fedorov (47), who was previously Director of Production and Business Operations of VMP ZAO, has been appointed Managing Director of VMP ZAO.

Prior to his appointment Mr. Kamelin worked as Managing Director of VMP ZAO from July 2008 to July 2009. From July 1996 to June 2008, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer of VMP ZAO. He was Chief Executive Officer of Vyartsilya Metallurgical Plant OAO from April 1994 to July 1996 and Chief Executive Officer of Vyartsilya Metallurgical Plant from November 1988 to April 1994. Mr. Kamelin was Head of Calibrated Steel and Rolled Products Section of Magnitogorsk Calibration Plant from November 1987 to November 1988 and Head of Steel Wire Workshop No. 4 of Magnitogorsk Calibration Plant from February 1986 to November 1987. From October 1978 to February 1986, he held various positions at Magnitogorsk Calibration Plant.

Mr. Kamelin graduated from Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute named after G. I. Nosov with a degree in Metal Forming Operations. He was awarded with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland of the II Degree.

Sergey Fedorov was previously Director of Production and Business Operations of VMP ZAO from April 2003 to July 2009. He held the positions of Commercial Director of VMP ZAO from November 2002 to April 2003 and Commercial Director of Vyartsilya Metallurgical Plant OAO from June 1995 to October 2002. From September 1984 to June 1995, he held various positions at Vyartsilya Metallurgical Plant. Mr. Fedorov graduated from Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute named after G. I. Nosov with a degree in Metal Forming Operations.

“Mr. Kamelin was the head of Vyartsilya Metallurgical Plant for over 20 years. From May 2002, VMP ZAO operates as Mechel’s subsidiary. Under the direction of Mr. Kamelin the plant demonstrated record growth of its production and financial indicators. Currently such an experienced and successful manager, as Mr. Kamelin is, has an opportunity to show his gift of manager at a bigger enterprise - Beloretsk Metallurgical Plant, which is one of the leading hardware plants in Russia. The chair of Managing Director of VMP ZAO has been taken by the manager who is no less experienced, Mr. Fedorov. He, too, has been working at the plant for over 20 years and knows the plant’s operations and staff inside out,” Mechel OAO Senior Vice President Vladimir Polin commented on the appointments.

Mr. Polin continued: “The experience and knowledge of the former CEO of BMP OAO, Konstantin Nikolin, will be applied in the head office of Mechel’s Steel Division. Mr. Nikolin will take one of the executive positions with Mechel Management OOO in Moscow”.