Norilsk Nickel will invest around RUB 1.6 bln. in recreation programs for company employees and their families

In 2012 MMC Norilsk Nickel (further, MMC Norilsk Nickel or the Company) will invest around RUB 1.6 bln. in recreation programs for its employees and their families. Over RUB 1.12 bln. will be allocated for health resort treatment programs, around RUB 173 mln. will be invested in recreation programs for children. The Company’s budget provides for RUB 291 bln. to compensate travel expenses for employees and their families to recreation places.

For many years MMC Norilsk Nickel has been implementing special recreation and health resort treatment programs, being one of the priorities for the Company as a socially responsible employer.

Every year, the Company purchases vouchers to health resorts located both in Russia and abroad: in Bulgaria, Spain and Cyprus. Employees are granted vouchers on favorable terms: they pay an average 15% of their value (RUB 5,000 - 13,000).

In 2012 the list of recreation places will include Zapolyarie Health Resort in Sochi, health and recreation resorts of the Altai Territory ("Russia", "Spring"), of Novgorod Territory ("Staraya Russa"), Caucasian Mineral Water Resorts ("Centrosoyuz"). The program is supposed to involve more than 27 thousand people.

Another 1.6 thousand of children of the Company employees will have an opportunity to participate in recreation programs for children and spend summer holidays in camps "Vita" located in Anapa and "Orlyonok" in Tuapse region. Children going in for sports will be able to go to Sports Camp located in Lutraki (Greece).

Programs funding in 2012 is comparable to the amounts spent by the Company in 2011 when RUB 1.6 bln. (the program covered 27.5 thousand people) was spent on implementation of recreation programs, more than RUB 158 mln. was spent on implementation of recreation programs for children -. (the program covered 1.5 thousand of people). The Company spent about RUB 293 mln. to cover the related travel expenses.

Given the remoteness and extreme northern environment in the area where MMC Norilsk Nickel operates, health care is an important part of the Company’s social policy. According to the current Collective Agreement, the Company compensates travel expenses to all employees located in the Murmansk region and Norilsk industrial area and their families once every two years. Last year, Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel signed a decree whereby the Company undertook enhanced social obligations: travel expenses of employees operating in Norilsk industrial region will be compensated annually.

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.