On March 17, 2006, according to the Federal Law on State registration of legal entities, OJSC Polyus Gold (Polyus Gold) has been entered in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities as a new legal body created by reorganization.

Official Certificate of Record in the Uniform State Register of Legal Entities # 1068400002990 was issued by the Interdistrict Inspectorate of the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation for the Krasnoyarsk region, Taimyr (Dolgano-Nenetsky) and Evenkia autonomous districts.

Commenting on the event General Director of OJSC Polyus Gold Evgueni Ivanov said: “Polyus Gold’s state registration is an important step forward the formation of the largest Russian gold mining company which shares are publicly traded. We are pleased that we met this provision, essential for the Company’s future development”.

Denis Morozov, Deputy General director - member of the Management board of MMC Norilsk Nickel, said: “We are glad to inform our shareholders that one more important step in accordance with reorganization plan has been successfully and timely made – State registration of Polyus Gold. Completion of this stage enables us to take further steps on obtaining Russian listing and launching DR program for the new company”.

Earlier the Organizational General Shareholders Meeting of OJSC Polyus Gold was held in Moscow on March 3, 2006. The meeting approved the Charter of OJSC Polyus Gold and elected the General Director and the Board of Directors of OJSC Polyus Gold.