PAO Severstalsaid March 25 that, as of March 21, it has paid out nearly 128.1 million Russianrubles as compensation for families of the miners who died in the at subsidiary Vorkutaugol's coal mine in Russia'snorthern Komi Republic.

The company also made a discretionary payment of 15 million rublesto the families of the rescue workers who died in the accident.

Over 30 people, including miners and rescue workers, were as a result of the accidentin late February.

The Russian miner added that flooding of the damaged area atSevernaya continues ahead of schedule.

Since the flooding started, 1.5 million cubic meters of waterhas already been pumped into the mine, ensuring that the operation should be completedby end of May to the middle of July.

As of March 25, US$1 wasequivalent to 68.27 Russian rubles.