Moscow, Russia — December 6, 2011 – Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports that work was suspended at several facilities at two of Southern Kuzbass Coal Company’s mines.

Following a check conducted at Lenin Underground and New-Olzherassk mines by the Mezhdurechensk territorial branch of the Southern Siberian department of the Federal Agency for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Monitoring, work at some of the two mines’ facilities was suspended by order of the Mezhdurechensk city court.

As of now, most of the monitoring agency’s requirements have been met. Within Lenin Underground and New-Olzherassk mines’ mining sections, the gas and dust conditions meet safety standards.

Mining at all facilities of Lenin Underground and New-Olzherassk mines is planned to be resumed within a few days.