Norilsk Nickel doubles the funding allocated to improvement of workpalce social conveniences program

Norilsk Nickel plans to allocate RUB 628 mil. in 2012 towards improvement of workplace social conveniences program, which is more than twice the amount allocated in 2011 (RUB 276 mil.).

The program has been functioning at the Group’s subsidiaries for several years and constitutes an important part of the Company’s social policy, aiming at improvement of employee working and leisure conditions, increase of their motivation and reduction of production costs.

The following subsidiaries are taking part in the Program – Polar Division and Polar Transportation Division, eight subsidiaries located in Norilsk Industrial Region, Kola MMC and Gipronickel Institute.

The Program covers sanitary and domestic facilities, catering, sports and recreational facilities as well as other objects.

Draft 5-year project development program, covering the period between 2012 and 2016, was developed in 2011, envisaging the approval of a corresponding budget in the first half of 2012. It is expected that approximately RUB 3 bn is to be allocated towards implementation of this program over the course of 5 years.

ABOUT MMC NORILSK NICKEL

MMC Norilsk Nickel, a company incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation, is the largest diversified mining and metals company in Russia, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium and one of the world's largest producers of platinum, rhodium, copper and cobalt. In addition to this, MMC Norilsk Nickel produces a large number of other by-products, including gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, iridium and ruthenium.

The key production units of the Company’s group in Russia are at the Polar and Kola Peninsulas. MMC Norilsk Nickel international assets include operations in Finland, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.

MMC Norilsk Nickel’s shares are traded at MICEX-RTS. ADR’s on the Company’s shares are traded on the other the counter market in the US and at the London and Berlin stock exchanges.