Moscow, 24 January 2023 — Alexander Leonov has been appointed Vice President — Head of Nornickel’s Kola Division and Chief Executive Officer of Kola MMC.

**Alexander Leonov, Vice President, Head of Kola Division, Kola MMC General Director**

In his new role, Mr Leonov will focus on Kola MMC’s key investment projects, primarily those related to environment protection and occupational safety. His tasks will include initiatives to improve the quality of the company’s nickel products and timely changes to its product range to respond to the evolving market trends and demands, as well as steps to boost productivity and safety of mining operations and to ensure the required forward-looking procurement process.

Evgeny Borzenko, the outgoing Head of Kola MMC, will continue with Nornickel and be in charge of defining the strategy and developing nickel refining technologies, as well as reviewing the potential for integration with deeper processing operations.

Alexander Leonov is an experienced executive, with an over 20-year track record with Nornickel. He worked his way up from a regular worker to director of Copper Smelter and Deputy Director of Nornickel’s Polar Division for Sustainable Development and Environment Protection.

Nornickel President Vladimir Potanin commented: “Kola Division is a strategic enterprise producing modern, high-demand products, including those for the battery industry. The global transition to EVs determines the demand for our metals and strengthens the role of the Monchegorsk industrial hub. Its performance and well-oiled teamwork are essential for the company’s development”.

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Mr Leonov graduated with honours from the Norilsk State Industrial Institute with a degree in Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous Metals.

He started his career at the Copper Smelter as an expert in electrolysis of water solutions in the electrowinning shop, where he rose through the ranks from worker to the head of the facility. Since January 2022, he has been Deputy Director of Nornickel’s Polar Division for Sustainable Development and Environment Protection.

He holds the honorary titles of “Talent Pool Employee of the Polar Division of MMC Norilsk Nickel” and “Best Manager at MMC Norilsk Nickel”, and a Certificate of Honour from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Alexander Leonov appointed head of Nornickel’s Kola division