OREANDA-NEWS. MMC Norilsk Nickel's 2006 Social Report was recognized the best among the reports on social responsibility and sustainable development issued by Russian companies, the Norilsk Nickel press department reports. The Company won in the 10th annual federal contest of annual reports and websites that was organized by the Russian Trading System Stock Exchange and Securities Market magazine.

According to Olga Golodets, Deputy General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel, the Company has published Social Reports for the last 3 years and intends to pursue this practice in the future. "We've approached this issue seriously from the very start by providing a good methodological basis for the report. I believe that the process of Social report preparation allows to view the Company's social policy from a different angle, to see the progress being made and, finally, to enhance corporate governance efficiency," she said. O. Golodets pointed out that 2006 Social Report describes in more detail MMC Norilsk Nickel's environmental efforts as well as the issues concerning the Company's responsibility for the product quality. This year's report has broadened in terms of its scope and geographical coverage. As she also emphasized, the Social Report is very important for strengthening the confidence and mutual understanding between the Company pursuing the world leadership in the mining industry, and its employees, shareholders, business partners and governmental authorities.

Preparing this report, the Company was guided by the best Russian and international practices, and relied on its own expertise in collection, consolidation and analysis of non-financial information in conformity with the Russian law and corporate standards.

Moreover, MMC Norilsk Nickel is one of the first Russian companies to use G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines developed by the Global Reporting Initiative.

One hundred and seventeen Russian security issuers and financial companies participated in the annual contest of annual reports and corporate websites in 2007.