Min: Russian government can agree on Sukhoil Log sale terms Sep

MOSCOW, Aug 25 (PRIME) -- The Russian Natural Resource and Environment Ministry plans to solve all disagreements on the sales terms of the Sukhoi Log gold deposit with the Federal Antimonopoly Service in September, Minister Sergei Donskoi told reporters on Thursday.

“We had a meeting in the White House, there are still disagreements with the Federal Antimonopoly Service. But on the other hand, we will naturally find a middle ground. There is no end so far, the discussion continues,” Donskoi said.

He also said that the government hopes to make a decision in early September.

In July, the government raised the starting price for Sukhoi Log to 8.6 billion rubles from 5 billion rubles and said only state-controlled companies can participate. The antitrust authority sent objections against this decision.

Earlier on Thursday, business daily Kommersant reported that the government had turned down a request by the antimonopoly service to allow companies without state participation of 25% or more to bid at the auction.

(64.8140 rubles – U.S. $1)

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