Mechel Announces New Director at Yakutugol OJSHC
07/09/2009 - Mechel OAO announces the appointment of Igor Khafizov as Managing Director of Mechel subsidiary Yakutugol OJSHC.
Mechel OAO announced the appointment of Igor Khafizov as Managing Director of Mechel subsidiary Yakutugol OJSHC.
In his new position, Khafizov (42) will help to ensure the successful performance of Yakutugol’s complex development projects. He replaces Vladimir Dronov, who previously headed this enterprise and will continue to work for Mechel’s Moscow corporate structures.
“Igor Khafizov always works at the frontline and most important positions at the mining segment of Mechel’s business,” commented Mechel OAO Senior Vice president Vladimir Polin. “He is (an) efficient and experienced manager and well aware in mining; as well he gained great respect from miners working at Mechel’s mining plants.
Prior to this appointment, Khafizov served as CEO of Mechel Mining Management Company OOO (February to July 2009), and CEO of Mechel Mining OAO and CEO of Mechel Mining Management Company OOO (April 2008 to February 2009). Since December 2007, he has served as General Director at Yakutugol OJSHC.
Previously, Khafizov served as Managing Director of Mechel’s Southern Kuzbass OAO coal mining subsidiary (Feb. 2006 to May 2008); as Managing Director of Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant OAO iron ore mining subsidiary (Jan. to Feb. 2006; and as General Director of Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant OAO iron ore mining subsidiary (2003 to 2006). From 1992 to 2003, he held various positions at Mechel’s Korshunov Mining Plant.
Khafizov, a recipient of the “Miner of Russia” gold badge, graduated from Urals Mining Institute with a degree in Mining Engineering.
“Nowadays Yakutugol performs several complicated projects which are crucially important for the Group,” explained Polin. “Primarily we speak about railway construction from Ulak railroad station to Elga coal deposit and building of the Elga open-pit mine. We focus our management’s efforts on this Group’s largest investment project, which has significant importance not only for Mechel and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), but for the whole Russian economy as well.
“Yakutugol is also to provide restoration and growth in coking coal concentrate production, including fulfillment of new contracts’ obligations for coal supply that have been recently signed with China, Japan and South Korea,” continued Polin. “In this situation, Igor Khafizov’s knowledge and management skills become vitally important for the future of not only Yakutugol, but for Mechel’s mining segment in whole”, concluded Polin.
Mechel, one of Russia’s leading companies, unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, steel, rolled products, ferroalloys, nickel, hardware, heat, and electric power. Its business includes four segments—mining, steel, ferroalloys and power—and its products are marketed domestically and internationally.
