OREANDA-NEWS. On July 06, 2007 OJSC Polyus Gold (RTS, MICEX and LSE – PLZL), Russia’s leading gold producer, announced the decision taken at a Board Meeting of Directors held on July 6, 2007, to elect Sergey Batekhin, Deputy Director General of Interros, as the Chairman of the Board, reported the press-centre of OJSC Polyus Gold.

The Board of Directors also elected Lord Gillford as the Chairman of the Audit Committee as well as Evgueni Ivanov and Ekaterina Salnikova as the members of the Audit Committee.

Note for editors

Sergey Batekhin

Born in 1965. In 1987 graduated from the Krasnoznamenny Military Institute of the USSR Ministry of Defense and in 1998 from the Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics (specialized in finance and credit). Holds an MBA degree and PhD in economy.

Started his career at the State Committee for Labor and Social Issues of the USSR, and then worked for the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1990 to 1992 worked at the Permanent Delegation of the USSR to UNESCO (France). Since 1992 held executive posts in the Russian Industrial and Investment Fund and at Deloitte & Touche. From 1995 till 2005 held different positions, including those of Director General, at the Defense Systems company. In 2000 Mr. Batekhin was appointed executive secretary of the Defense Systems interstate financial and industrial group (Russia-Belarus).

Since February 2005 - Deputy Director General of Interros.

Serves as the Chairman of the Board of Power Machines and as the Member of the Board of Plug Power Corporation (USA). Laureate of the Government of the Russian Federation Award in the Field of Science and Technology. In 1999 awarded the Order of Friendship. In 2003 decorated with the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (Third Degree) of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Polyus Gold is the largest gold producer in Russia. In 2006 its gold output totalled 1.2 million ounces. Headquartered in Moscow, Polyus Gold’s operating mines and development/exploration projects are located in five major gold mining regions of Russia - Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Magadan, Amur regions and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).