OREANDA-NEWS. On July 08, 2009 Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announced new appointments to executive positions at its subsidiaries, reported the press-centre of Mechel.

Igor Khafizov (42) was appointed Managing Director of Yakutugol OJSHC in order to provide successful performance of Yakutugol’s complex development projects. Vladimir Dronov, who headed this enterprise previously, will continue working for Mechel’s Moscow corporate structures.

Prior to this appointment Mr. Khafizov worked as Mechel Mining Management Company OOO CEO from February till July 2009. From April 2008 to February 2009 he worked at the positions of Mechel Mining OAO Chief Executive Officer and Mechel Mining Management Company OOO Chief Executive Officer. Since December 2007 Mr. Khafizov was General Director at Yakutugol OJSHC. Previously, Mr. Khafizov held positions in Mechel’s Southern Kuzbass OAO coal mining subsidiary as Managing Director from February 2006 to May 2008; Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant OAO iron ore mining subsidiary as Managing Director from January 2006 to February 2006; and Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant OAO iron ore mining subsidiary as its General Director from 2003 to 2006. From 1992 to 2003, he held various positions at Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant. Mr. Khafizov graduated from Urals Mining Institute with a degree in Mining Engineer. He is a recipient of the “Miner of Russia” gold badge.

“Igor Khafizov always works at the frontline and most important positions at the mining segment of Mechel’s business. He is efficient and experienced manager and well aware in mining; as well he gained great respect from miners working at Mechel’s mining plants. Nowadays Yakutugol performs several complicated projects which are crucially important for the Group. Primarily we speak about railway construction from Ulak railroad station to Elga coal deposit and building of the Elga open-pit mine. We focus our management’s efforts on this Group’s largest investment project, which has significant importance not only for Mechel and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), but for the whole Russian economy as well.

Yakutugol is also to provide restoration and growth in coking coal concentrate production, including fulfillment of new contracts’ obligations for coal supply that have been recently signed with China, Japan and South Korea. In this situation Igor Khafizov’s knowledge and management skills become vitally important for the future of not only Yakutugol, but for Mechel’s mining segment in whole”, Mechel OAO Senior Vice president Vladimir Polin noted.