Mechel reports 2006 production data

One of Russia's leading vertical-integrated mining and metals companies Mechel has announced its 2006 production results. According to the company's statement, in 2006 Mechel produced five million metric tons of iron ore concentrate – up 10 percent, 2.57 million metric tons of coke – down one percent, 3.6 million metric tons of pig iron – up eight percent, 5.95 million metric tons of crude steel - up one percent and 4.7 million metric tons of finished steel products (including 400,000 metric tons of flats, 2.5 million metric tons of longs, and 1.8 million metric tons of semis) – up two percent ( including a 28 percent increase for flats and one percent increase for longs) compared to the results of 2005. In its mining segment, during the period in question Mechel saw a 13 percent increase in its coking coal mining output and a four percent increase in its steam coal mining output year on year. The respective figures in metric tons were 9.7 million and 7.3 million. Mechel's Chief Operating Officer Mr. Alexey Ivanushkin commented that last year was very successful for the company as Mechel increased output of all its core products.