Norilsk Nickel Offer for LionOre Receives Approval from the Finnish Competition Authority

OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel today announced that it has received a decision from the Finnish Competition Authority that Norilsk Nickel’s proposed acquisition of control of LionOre Mining International Ltd. which was notified in Finland on 16 May, 2007, has been approved under the Finnish Competition Act.

The Finnish Competition Authority concluded that Norilsk Nickel’s all-cash offer to the shareholders of LionOre was not likely to create or strengthen a dominant position as a result of which competition would be significantly impeded in the Finnish market and, therefore, Norilsk Nickel’s offer is not subject to further review under the Act.