Public recognition of Norilsk Nickel sustainable development performance

Norilsk Nickel received a number of domestic and international awards for efforts in the area of sustainable development in 2008 and 2009.

The Company won the federal award Best Companies of Russia: Dynamics. Efficiency. Responsibility, sponsored by the Russian Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs in the category Social Reporting (Consistency in the Development of Non-Financial Reporting subcategory).

Moody’s Investors Service in October 2009 affirmed its 'Baa2' rating on OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel following a review of its current operating performance and recent business developments. The outlook remains stable. According to Moody’s MMC Norilsk Nickel continues to generate free cash flow enabling it to meet its business targets and debt service requirements in the current turbulent economic environment. Cost cutting initiatives proved to be efficient and strengthened the Company’s leading market positions.

The international rating agency Fitch Ratings  was confirmed the Company’s investment grade credit rating at the level of 'BBB-' in November 2009. The Outlook changed from negative to stable. According to Fitch the Outlook change reflects increase in metals pricing, further strengthening of OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel liquidity profile, and the agency’s confidence that Norilsk Nickel will be able to refinance its debt maturities due in 2010. Fitch also expects the Company to maintain a conservative stance in terms of costs policy and remain cash flow positive during 2010.

The Russian Government highly appreciated MMC Norilsk Nickel’s performance in 2008 and awarded the Company for its significant  results in the field of quality of products and services, as well as for implementation of efficient quality management methods. Quality Awards contest is held in Russia for the 12th time, and according to its organizers, it became a national program stimulating application of advanced management methods to strengthen sustainable production and products competitiveness.

The Company was ranked among the 300 Russia's Most Dynamic Companies according to a survey conducted by the magazine Firm’s Secret in 2009 as one of the most dynamic russian companies in 2008.

MMC Norilsk Nickel was named as the Best Foreign Trade Leader within the framework of 2009 Customs Olympus Russian contest organized by Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation. In October, 2009 MMC Norilsk Nickel was granted the Diploma of Honor and the Cup. The Company has been justly awarded the prize for the second time within this contest. In September MMC Norilsk Nickel was pronounced the winner of the 2009 Customs Olympus regional contest in the category of Foreign Trade Leader in Siberia Federal District. The 2009 Customs Olympus contest was conducted in order to acknowledge success achieved by foreign traders in international trade and customs activities.

Norilsk Nickel was recognized as the best company in the European mining and metallurgical sector for its investor relations (IR). According to a survey by Institutional Investor (a leading international business publication) examining 32 industries and over 1,300 private equity fund analysts and brokers, Norilsk Nickel is the only Russian company which was ranked in the industry's top 10.

The children’s web-portal of Norilsk Nickel Nickelca.ru won Social Projects: National Patrimony award in the web-competition Golden Site 2008 in the Siberian Federal District.