Russia region threatens to seize ArcelorMittal mines

MOSCOW, July 10 (Reuters) - Russia's Kemerovo region has notified ArcelorMittal (ISPA.AS) that it will seize two of the world's largest steel maker's mines if production levels do not increase, a statement from the Siberian region said.

"If your team is not able to stabilise production at these facilities, then we propose that you hand them over without compensation," Kemerovo governor Aman Tuleyev said in a telegram addressed to the multinational's chief executive, Lakshmi Mittal, and cited in the statement on the Kemerovo website.

Reuters has been unable to reach ArcelorMittal's Siberian operations for immediate comment on the telegram.

ArcelorMittal acquired three Siberian coal mines from Russia's Severstal (CHMF.MM) in 2008, becoming one of the few foreign companies to enter the market.

However, in March the company said it may temporarily close two of its three Russian mines because of the slump in global demand. [ID:nLJ417076]

ArcelorMitall also said it would introduce a voluntary retirement programme at the Anzherskaya and Pervomayskaya mines in western Siberia and redeploy some key operating personnel to the third mine, Beryozovskaya. (Reporting by Alfred Kueppers and Natalya Shurmina; editing by Philippa Fletcher)