Moscow, Russia – September 15, 2021 – Mechel PAO (MOEX: MTLR, NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports changes in the company’s management, including introduction of a new position — that of first deputy chief executive officer. Maxim Zhirgalov has been appointed to this post.

As Mechel PAO’s first deputy CEO, Maxim Zhirgalov will tackle a wide range of issues regarding the company’s strategic development, improvement of production efficiency and performance results. Maxim Zhirgalov will also be in charge of information technology and investment bloc. Prior to his appointment, he worked as deputy CEO for operational efficiency.

Elena Samarina will succeed him as Mechel PAO’s deputy chief executive officer for operational efficiency. Elena Samarina will be in charge of strategic planning, risk management, budgeting and economic accounting centralization processes. She will also oversee analysis and optimization of operational processes. Prior to her appointment, she headed Mechel PAO’s business planning and analysis department.

Also, Alexander Kolchin has been appointed deputy chief executive officer for commercial operations. Apart from overseeing the bloc dealing with sales of Mechel Group’s output, he will manage the procurement department as well. Alexander Kolchin began his professional career at Mechel’s various facilities, where he worked for over 15 years.

“I am sure that, considering their professionalism, loyalty to the Group’s interests and deep understanding of current business processes, our top management has got a major boost with these appointments. We face ambitious goals directly linked to increasing the company’s market value. On my part, I would like to wish you all success and good luck in implementing projects that will have a positive impact on the company’s further development,” Mechel PAO’s Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov commented.

Prior to his current appointment, Maxim Zhirgalov was Mechel PAO’s deputy chief executive officer for operational efficiency since February 2021. In 2016-2021, he was Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant’s economics and finance director. In 2012-2016, he was economics and finance director at Izhstal. In 2011-2012, he was economics and finance director at Romania’s Ductil Steel Buzau. In 2009-2011, he was deputy economics and finance director at Urals Stampings Plant’s Chelyabinsk subsidiary.

Prior to her current appointment, in 2009-2021 Elena Samarina headed Mechel PAO’s business planning and analysis department. In 2005-2009, she worked in RUSAL, working her way up from an economist to finance director of the Secondary Alloys project.

Prior to his current appointment, Alexander Kolchin was commercial director at Spetsstal Trading House in 2020-2021. In 2018-2020, he was deputy financial director at Prommekh. In 2013-2017, he headed the procurement department at Chelyabinsk Pipe Plant. In 2011-2013, he headed Mechel Service’s sales of quality and stainless products department. In 2008-2011, he was director of Mechel Management Company’s forgings and stampings sales department.

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Mechel PAO
Ekaterina Videman
Tel: + 7 495 221 88 88
ekaterina.videman@mechel.com