OREANDA-NEWS. On December 19, 2008 Two candidates, Messrs. Heinz Schimmelbusch and Guy de Sellier, withdrew their written consents to stand for election to the Board of Directors of OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (“MMC Norilsk Nickel” or the ‘Company”) at the Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders on December 26, 2008, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

In their letters to General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, Messrs. Schimmelbusch and de Selliers expressed their wish to stay associated with the Company and their hope that the Company will continue to be very successful.

Members of the Board of Directors H. Schimmelbusch (since 2003) and Guy de Selliers (since 2002) met all the requirements set out for independent directors in the Charter of MMC Norilsk Nickel.