Independent MINEX Award Committee receives and assesses nominee applications. Adjudication will be done on the basis of the nomination supporting information and personal interviews conducted with proposed nominees. The list of five finalists per category is prepared by the Award Committee.

In 2009 the following nominees received the Award:

1. PROSPECTOR OF THE YEAR — Petropavlovsk, for new approaches in geological exploration of Malomyr, Albyn and other projects located in the Far East;

2. MINING COMPANY OF THE YEAR — Polyus Gold, for development of Blagodatnoe project, Olimpiada Gold Mining Plant #3 start-up, pilot plant at Natalka;

3. INVESTOR OF THE YEAR — Atomredmetzoloto, for creation of large scale international investment partnership to secure long-term supply of uranium to the global markets. Investment partnership between Russia’s ARMZ Uranium Holding Co. and Canadian Uranium One Inc.;

4. INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR — Siberian Federal University (SFU) for development and Implementation of a Russian drone aircraft for aero-geophysical works;

5. HIGHER MINING EDUCATION PROVIDER OF THE YEAR — Irkutsk State Technical University for quality and level of specialists graduating from the Higher Mining Education university/institute;

6. MINING PERSON OF THE YEAR — Vitaly Nesis (CEO, Polymetal), for aggressive company development on the world market.

MINEX Annual Russian Mining Excellence Award was established by the MINEX (Russian & CIS Mining & Exploration Forum) in 2007 with the aim of promoting best practices in the Russian Mining Industry. The award has become an instant success by offering an unbiased and independent platform for highlighting success stories and awarding Russian and International companies and managers for their outstanding achievements in improving mining industry standards and practices in Russia.

Independent character of the Award is guaranteed by open voting from MINEX participants and Mining Community. By the award rules nominees and winners cannot financially participate in the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony.