Report: Potanin ready to mull merger of Norilsk Nickel, RUSAL

MOSCOW, Jul 5 (PRIME) -- Vladimir Potanin, one of the core owners of Russian metals company Norilsk Nickel, is ready to discuss a merger with aluminum producer UC RUSAL, he said in an interview with RBC television channel on Tuesday.

“We have reconsidered (the idea to merge with RUSAL). And today I have sent a letter to confirm our consent to start negotiations on a merger with UC RUSAL,” he said.

Potanin said new factors have emerged for such a decision, including the sustainability agenda.

“Plus, there is the necessity of diversifying the shareholder composition, and of acquiring additional resistance to sanctions. To receive state aid for the projects if necessary. All these has forced us to return to RUSAL’s proposal,” he said.

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