OREANDA-NEWS. On March 26, 2009 Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announced a two month extension of its bridge loan taken for the acquisition of Oriel Resources Ltd., reported the press-centre of Mechel.

On March, 25, 2009, following negotiations with the banking syndicate which provided Mechel a one-year loan for the Oriel Resources Ltd. (United Kingdom) acquisition, an agreement for a two month payment term extension was reached. The new payment date is May, 15, 2009.

The prolongation period will be used to complete negotiations with the bank participants of the syndicate aiming at refinancing the bridge loan with long term instruments.