Chelyabinsk, Russia – April 28, 2009 – Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant (LSE, RTS, MICEX: CHZN), Russia’s largest producer of zinc and zinc alloys, announces its production results for the first quarter of 2009. January through March 2009, Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant (CZP) produced 24, 327 tonnes of salable SHG zinc and zinc based alloys, a decrease of 36.7% as compared to the same period of 2008 (38,432 tonnes). 49% of the plant output was supplied to the domestic market.  CZP’s subsidiary, Nova Zinc LLC, operator of Akzhal zinc and lead mine in Kazakhstan, processed 285.1 thousand tonnes of ore in January – March of 2009, 15.1% less than for the same period of 2008 (335.6 thousand tonnes). Average zinc content in the ore for the period was 3.11% with average lead content of 0.54%, compared to 2.01% and 0.34% respectively a year ago. Production of zinc in zinc concentrate for the first three months of 2009 increased 31.8% to 8,119 tonnes over the prior year result of the same period of 6,161 tonnes. Lead in lead concentrate production increased by 35.6% to 1,262 tonnes (vs. 931 tonnes in January – March of 2008).

CZP’s subsidiary, The Brock Metal Company Limited (the leading UK supplier of zinc and aluminum die-casting alloys) sold 4,859 tonnes of products January through March 2009, 34.2% less than for the same period of 2008 (7,388 tonnes).  “In order to minimize negative market environment that affected Company’s operating and financial performance (average price of zinc metal January through March, 2009 accounted $1,172 per tonne), CZP has adjusted output by keeping minimal technological production level within Q1 2009 and implemented cost cutting measures”, - said Vsevolod Geikhman, General Director of Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant.  

On Wednesday, April 29, 2009 CZP will present its 2008 IFRS consolidated financial statements. At the same day at 4.30 pm Moscow time (1.30 pm London time, 8.30 am New York time) CZP will host an Investor Conference Call to discuss its financial results and comment on current operations. Media are invited to attend on a listen only basis. To participate in the conference call dial one of the dial-in numbers as follows:• If dialing from Russia: (495) 981-0871• If dialing from UK: 0800 0284183 (toll free)• If dialing from the USA: 1 866 297 7327 (toll free) If dialing from countries other than specified please refer to https://www.conferencing.bt.com/pdf/bookedglobalaccess/automated.pdf  Once connected, the participant should enter the passcode: 125 506#To join the web conference, paste the following link into the address bar of your web browser: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/bt_uk_event1/join  then enter your Meeting ID/Meeting number K4575479 and Password: 125 506. The recording of the conference call and the presentation will be available on CZP's web-site (www.zinc.ru) in the Investor Relations section.