For this reason atthe end of2004the company formed aseparate department for mergers and acquisitions led byVice Chairman Leonid Rozhetskin and Deputy General Director Dmitry Razumov.

The new department will besupervised byLeonid Rozhetskin, Deputy Chairman ofthe Management Board.

MMC Norilsk Nickel, Gold Fields and Harmony announce that they have engaged inpreliminary communications inorder toexplore alternative transactions, which could bemutually acceptable and beneficial toall parties, relating tothe current offer byHarmony for Gold Fields.

The competition commission made its selection ofthe best annual reports inthe following categories: Most Informative, Classic Presentation, Presentation ofAccounts onthe Internet and Design and Graphics.

Akey component ofthe project isa vertical shaft, descending over 2kms, which will provide exhaust ventilation and hoisting capacity for manpower, equipment, materials and rock atthe Skalisty mine.