Neryungri-Novosibirsk-Moscow, Russia – June 11, 2008 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces three appointments to executive positions at its subsidiaries.

Vladimir Dronov (54) was appointed General Director of Mechel's Yakutugol OJSHC coal mining subsidiary, succeeding Igor Khafizov. Previously, Mr. Dronov was Director for Technical Policy at Yakutugol OJSHC. Mr. Khafizov (40), who headed this subsidiary, now becomes the Chief Executive Officer of Mechel Mining OAO, a new Mechel’s subsidiary founded in April 2008.

Prior to being appointed General Director at Yakutugol OJSHC, Mr. Dronov was Director for Technical Policy of Yakutugol OJSHC from 2007. From 2006 to 2007, he was Deputy General Director for Long Term Business Development and Technical Policy of Yakutugol OJSHC. He was Director of Yakutugol’s Neryungri Open Pit Mine from 2001 to 2006, and the Head of the Production Directorate of Yakutugol State Unitary Enterprise’s Office from 1997 to 2001. From 1979 to 1997, Mr. Dronov held various positions at Yakutugol SUE’s Neryungri Open Pit Mine, his most recent position there being Deputy Director for Production. He was overman of Excavation Special Constriction Directorate No. 16 of the Yakutuglestroy complex of enterprises in 1978-1979 and engineer of Rosdorstroymaterialy complex of enterprises in Tula, Russia, in 1977-1978.

Mr. Dronov graduated from the Tula Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Mining Engineer, and graduated from the Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation with a degree in management. Mr. Dronov has received several awards from the Russian Federation coal industry, including honored worker of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) national economy and a Full Cavalier of the Miner’s Glory badge. He is also the recipient of the badge of honor from the Russian Coal Miners’ Trade Union (Rosugleprof).

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Mechel Mining OAO, Mr. Khafizov was General Director at Yakutugol OJSH since December 2007. Previously, Mr. Khafizov held positions in Mechel’s Southern Kuzbass OAO coal mining subsidiary as Managing Director from February 2006 to May 2008; Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant OAO iron ore mining subsidiary as Managing Director from January 2006 to February 2006; and Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant OAO iron ore mining subsidiary as its General Director from 2003 to 2006. From 1992 to 2003, he held various positions at Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant. Mr. Khafizov graduated from Urals Mining Institute with a degree in Mining Engineer. He is a recipient of the “Miner of Russia” gold badge.

On May 28, 2008, Mechel OAO registered its newly founded Mechel Ferroalloys Management Company OOO subsidiary, which will be engaged in the operational management of Mechel’s ferroalloy assets. Mechel’s Chief Operating Officer, Alexey Ivanushkin (45), was appointed Chief Executive Officer of this subsidiary.

Mr. Ivanushkin has been Mechel’s Chief Operating Officer since 2004. From March 2003 to January 2004, he was Chief Executive Officer of Mechel Steel Group OAO. He has been Chairman of the Board of Directors at Mechel’s Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant OAO’s subsidiary since 2002. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Ivanushkin served as General Director of the Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant. From 1993 to 1999, he was Director of the ferrous metals and ferroalloy department of the Moscow office at Glencore International AG. From 1984 to 1992, he worked as an economist with various import-export organizations under the Ministry of Foreign Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations of the Soviet Union.

Mr. Ivanushkin graduated from Moscow State University of Foreign Relations (MGIMO) with a degree in economics and international affairs. In 2003, he became the laureate of “The Best Manager in the Industrial Sector” award.