OREANDA-NEWS. July 31, 2007. Mining and Metallurgical Company ("MMC") Norilsk Nickel ("Norilsk Nickel") announces preliminary consolidated production figures for the second quarter of 2007. These figures include production from Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta, which was acquired on March 1, 2007, as well as production from LionOre Mining International Ltd, which Norilsk Nickel acquired control over on July 3, 2007. In the second quarter, the Norilsk Nickel Group produced:

• 71 thousand metric tonnes of saleable nickel at the Polar Division, Kola MMC, Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta (Finland) and LionOre operations in Australia, South Africa and Botswana;

• 100 thousand metric tonnes of copper at the Polar Division and Kola MMC;

• 806 thousand ounces (25.1 metric tonnes) of palladium at the Polar Division and Kola MMC;

• 195 thousand ounces (6.1 metric tonnes) of platinum at the Polar Division and Kola MMC.

The Norilsk Nickel Group is increasing its expected saleable nickel production in 2007 from 270-275 thousand metric tonnes to 295-300 thousand metric tonnes. Expected production of copper, palladium and platinum also remains unchanged calling for an estimated 404-409 thousand metric tonnes of copper, 3000-3050 thousand ounces (93-95 metric tonnes) of palladium, 700-710 thousand ounces (around 22 metric tonnes) of platinum.

The stated production volumes do not include production figures of Stillwater Mining Company.