Moscow, Russia – May 15, 2008 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces a new appointment to the management at its Southern Kuzbass OAO coal mining subsidiary.

Victor Skulditskiy (50), who previously held the position of Director of Coal Concentration and Processing Division, was appointed Managing Director of Southern Kuzbass OAO. Mr. Skulditskiy succeeded Sergei Popov, who was Acting Managing Director and now becomes the First Deputy Managing Director - Director for Operations.

Previously, Mr. Skulditskiy was Director of Southern Kuzbass OAO’s branch, Coal Concentration and Processing Division, from August 2006 to May 2008. From November 2005 to August 2006, he was Director of Southern Kuzbass OAO’s branch - Kuzbass Central Processing Plant OAO. From December 1991 to October 2005, he held various positions at Kuzbass Central Processing Plant OAO, with his last position being Director of Kuzbass Central Processing Plant OAO. He held various positions at Taybinskaya and Cherkasovskaya Coal Processing Plants and Kuzbass Coal Processing and Southern Kuzbass Coal production associations from December 1979 to December 1991.

Mr. Skulditskiy graduated from the Kuzbass Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Mining Engineering and a concentration degree in Mineral Processing. He was awarded Russia’s miner golden badge, special contribution to Kuzbass development medal, and miner’s glory badge.

“Mr. Skulditskiy has worked in the Kuzbass mining industry for almost thirty years, of which twenty five years he has held executive positions. He is a highly qualified and experienced professional. While heading the Kuzbass Central Processing Plant, he managed to raise its efficiency and productivity, and implemented modern technologies as well. As a result of Mr. Skulditskiy’s efforts, the plant’s plans of concentrate output were regularly overfulfilled with the plant having switched to application of cost and power saving production schemes. There are no doubts that, under Mr. Skulditskiy’s direction, Kuzbass Central Processing Plant OAO will achieve strong operational and financial results going forward,” Mechel Management OOO Chief Executive Officer Vladimir Polin said.