RUSAL not in talks on possible merger with Norilsk Nickel

MOSCOW, July 30 (Itar-Tass) - The world’s biggest aluminium producer RUSAL and Norilsk Nickel do not conduct talks on possible merger, RUSAL said in its official statement on Wednesday. “Oleg Deripaska (who control Rusal) is not in talks with Vladimir Potanin (Interros president, the single largest shareholder of Norilsk Nickel) on possible merger of RUSAL and Norilsk Nickel. No agreement on confidentiality has been discussed or signed,” the company said commenting on the information that appeared in some mass media sources. “RUSAL considers the purchase of 25 percent plus two shares in Norilsk Nickel a strategic investment and plans to use all juridical tools to protect its interests as the company’s shareholder,” the statement said. On April 25, RUSAL acquired 25 percent plus two shares of Norilsk Nickel from Mikhail Prokhorov’s Oneksim Group. The latter received 14 percent of the aluminium company’s shares in exchange. RUSAL exports its produce to 70 countries. The United Company RUSAL (the result of the merger of RUSAL, SUAL and the alumina assests of Swiss trader Glencore) accounts for 12 percent of the world’s aluminium market and 15 percent of alumina. RUSAL has offices in 19 countries on five continents.