OJSC Mining and Metallurgical Company Norilsk Nickel (Norilsk Nickel the Company) announced the completion ofthe purchase ofOM Groupsnickel business (the Nickel Business).

As aresult ofthe purchase, Norilsk Nickel has acquired the following assets:

Harjavalta nickel refining operations inHarjavalta, Finland

Cawse nickel mining and processing operations inWestern Australia

A 20% stake inMPI Nickel Pty. Ltd. (MPI), which operates the Black Swan and Silver Swan nickel mines inWestern Australia, and isdeveloping the Honeymoon Well project

An 11.1% holding through common shares and convertible debt inTalvivaaran Kaivososakeyhtio, abiological heap-leaching project inthe Kainuu Region inFinland.

With this acquisition, Norilsk Nickel will further extend its operations internationally toAustralia and Finland, and will strengthen its position inthe global mining and metals industry. The company will increase refined nickel production capacity byup to60,000metric tons per annum, equivalent toan additional 35,000-40,000tons per annum ofrefined nickel products excluding nickel produced under current tolling arrangements. The Company isexcited about gaining access tobest inclass operational skills and laterite HPAL leaching technology, aswell asextending its product line toinclude nickel salts and briquettes.

Deputy General Director Tav Morgan said, This transaction represents asignificant step inNorilsk Nickelsplans tofurther expand its position inthe nickel industry, and weexpect itto lead tofurther growth opportunities. Going forward, weplan toundertake further business development activity aswe seek out opportunities with potential partners aimed atimplementing and enhancing our production strategy.

Norilsk Nickel has made preparations for aseamless transition atthe acquired operations, including the retention ofa strong team ofNickel Business management personnel inFinland and Australia. Antti Aaltonen will take onthe role ofManaging Director ofNorilsk Nickel Finland Oy, which will manage the Harjavalta and Cawse operations. Hewill besupported byHeikki Saari asOperations Director for the Harjavalta refinery, and byTim Dobson asOperations Director for the Cawse mining and metallurgical processing facility. Mr. Aaltonen said,Our first major task isto secure full production capacities atboth plants for the long term, keeping inmind all possible opportunities for future expansions with the financial support ofNorilsk Nickel.