IFC METROPOL is to train personnel for Buryatia. This is what is said in the contract executed 27 March 2006 between IFC METROPOL and Saint Petersburg G.V. Plekhanov State Mining Institute (Technical University). The document is signed by M.V. Slipenchuk, Chief Executive Officer of IFC METROPOL, and V.S. Litvinenko, Rector of the Technical University (TU).

Under the Contract, the higher education establishment is expected to provide, on a priority basis, socially oriented educational services at the pre-graduate, undergraduate and postgraduate level for pupils of general and vocational schools, students and trainees who arrive from the regions where East-Siberian Metals Corporation has its facilities. Moreover, the Technical University is to render research and consulting services for technical, process engineering, economic and other problems facing the members of the Group METROPOL, as well as to provide R&D support for the projects being implemented by the Group.

IFC Metropol is the first financial company to sign such a contract with the Mining Institute. Earlier, the Institute entered into partnership with major companies active in the mineral resources sector such as NOVATEK, Norilsk Nickel, Surgutneftegaz, Urengoygazprom, LUKoil, Alrosa, De Beers.