Moscow, Russia — December 19, 2012 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces the appointment of a new Managing Director of Izhstal OAO (Izhstal), part of Mechel Group.

Anatoly Shchetinin, 55, who was appointed the new Managing Director of Izhstal OAO, replaces Konstantin Kretov, who headed the plant since February 2011.

“Anatoly Shchetinin is always appointed to front-line, important work in Mechel’s steel division. He is a strong and experienced manager, well-versed in steelmaking technology. In the past few years, Izhstal OAO has implemented a large-scale project to modernize its production facilities. Today the plant needs to reach project capacity for the high-tech steelmaking and rolling facilities that have been installed as part of that project, which will enable Izhstal to significantly increase its competitive edge in the market for specialty steels and stainless rolls. We are sure that Anatoly Shchetinin’s experience and leadership skills will help the enterprise tackle this task successfully,” Mechel-Steel Management OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Vladimir Tytsky noted.

Prior to his appointment, since November 2011 Mr. Shchetinin was managing director at Mechel’s Eastern European Steel Division’s Otelu Rosu plant. Before that, since July 2008 until October 2011 he worked as project chief at Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant OAO. In 2006-2008, he held several management posts at Evraz Holding OOO. In 2005-2006, he was chief executive officer at Chelyabinsk Steel Profiled Sheet Plant OAO. In 2001-2005, Mr. Shchetinin was chief executive officer at Southern Urals Nickel Plant OAO. In 1984-2001, he worked on various posts at Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant OAO.

Mr. Shchetinin graduated from Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute with a specialty in smelting of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and holds a doctorate in technical sciences. He has been awarded the medal of Russia’s Order for Merit to the Motherland state award II class and the Order for Honor and Valor.