OREANDA-NEWS. Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports that the leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS confirmed the high quality of the Elga deposit's coking coal.

Independent lab testing showed that samples of coking coal from the Elga deposit are up to Russian and international standard. According to the test results, this coking coal is characterized by low content of phosphorus and sulfur and high vitrinite content. The test samples also have the requisite fluidity of the coal's plastic layer.

A sample of coking coal was also successfully tested by a major Japanese steelmaking holding. Its experts concluded that the Elga deposit's coking coal can be efficiently used in making coke.

“The Elga deposit is a unique source of coal for Asia Pacific due to its immense reserves, high quality of its products and last but not least, geographic proximity. This certificate shows that the Elga coking coal's competitive qualities are beyond doubt,” Mechel OAO's Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov said.