Moscow, Russia — November 16, 2011 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces that coal mining at New-Olzherassk Underground mine has been resumed.

By the year’s end, New-Olzherassk’s section # 21-1-7 is planned to yield some 352,000 tonnes of coal. The long wall face’s industrial reserves are estimated at some 3 million tonnes.

The breakage face is equipped with mechanized shield supports made by ZF of China and a shearer, a face conveyor and a rear conveyor by Joy Mining Machinery of Britain, which allows the company to use a unique top coal caving method enabling thick seam mining in one coal layer of up to 10 meters. This technology proved the best for the mine’s geological conditions.

Mining in the production area of New-Olzherassk Underground mine, which belongs to Southern Kuzbass Coal Company, was suspended in August 2010 due to coal self-heating.