Not For Release, Publication Or Distribution, In Whole Or In Part, In, Into Or From Any Jurisdiction Where To Do So Would Constitute A Violation Of The Relevant Laws Of Such Jurisdiction

MOSCOW, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one ofthe leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces that it hasobtained Russian and Kazakh anti-trust regulatory approvals for Oriel's sharecapital acquisition.

In relation to the recommended cash offer made by Mechel for the entireissued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Oriel by means of an offerdocument ('Offer Document') dated 26 March 2008, Mechel has received thenecessary anti-trust clearances in Russia and Kazakhstan and therefore theseconditions of the Offer have been satisfied.

The Offer remains subject to the terms and other conditions set out in theOffer Document.

Oriel Shareholders who have not yet accepted the Offer are urged:

(i) in respect of Oriel Shares held in certificated form, to complete,sign and return the relevant Form of Acceptance, in accordance with theinstructions set out in the Offer Document and in the Form of Acceptance, soas to be received as soon as possible but in any event so as to be received nolater than 1.00pm (London time) on 16 April 2008;

(ii) in respect of Oriel Shares held in CREST, to accept electronicallythrough CREST so that the TTE instruction settles as soon as possible and, inany event, so as to be settled not later than 1.00pm (London time) on 16 April2008; and

(iii) in respect of Oriel Shares held through a participant of CDS, toaccept by following the procedures for a Book-based Transfer established byCDS.

Full details of how to accept the Offer in respect of certificated anduncertificated Oriel Shares are set out in the Offer Document and, in the caseof certificated Oriel Shares, the accompanying Form of Acceptance. Copies ofthe Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance can be obtained by contactingComputershare Investor Services PLC on telephone number + 44 870 707 1214.

Terms used in this announcement shall have the meaning given to them inthe Offer Document, unless the context requires otherwise

Further Information

This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer orsolicitation of any offer to sell or an invitation to purchase any securitiesor the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to the Offeror otherwise.