In late February, Russia's federal anti-monopoly watchdog permitted Mittal Steel Holdings AG, a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, to acquire coal mines from Severstal.
Severstal, an international mining and steel company that produced 17.5 million metric tons of steel in 2007, earlier said the deal would allow the company to focus on the development of existing strategically important assets, and to invest in new coal projects.
Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest metals holding company, controls 10% of global steel output. The company was formed through the merger of Arcelor and Mittal Steel in 2006.
Indian billionaire industrialist Lakshmi Mittal is president of Arcelor Mittal and holds a controlling interest in the company.
