Mechel OAO plans to sell some of the assets it has offered for sale by the end of 2012, Yevgeny Mikhel, Chief Executive Officer of Mechel, said. Eastern European Steel Division S.R.L., Closed Joint Stock Company Mini Steel Mill ISTIL (Ukraine), Invicta Merchant Bar Public Limited Company, Mechel Nemunas JSC, Mechel Service Global B.V. except Mechel Service OOO, Voskhod-Oriel LLP, Voskhod-Chrome LLP, Tikhvin Ferroalloy Plant ZAO, Southern Urals Nickel Plant OAO, Open Joint Stock Company Kuzbass Energy Retail Company and Toplofikatsia Rousse are up for sale. Yevgeny Mikhel said, "I can say that negotiations have been most difficult on the Southern Urals Nickel Plant, because prices for nickel are very low right now." Yevgeny Mikhel added that other assets are strong and there has been interest from completely unexpected potential buyers.

Yevgeny Mikhel said regarding closing of the deals, "I think that by the New Year we'll definitely have some good news for you." Mechel's board has also recommended that shareholders think about the possibility of selling a minority stake of up to 25% in Mechel Mining OAO to a strategic investor. Mechel is already holding negotiations on the sale of these assets, and negotiations on the sale of Toplofikatsia Rousse are already in the final stage because the decision to sell this power company was made at the beginning of 2012, a spokesman for Mechel has told Interfax. All current and potential consumers of the Mechel's coal, as well as major investment funds are keen to acquire a stake in Mechel Mining.