Отправлено 14 July 2008 - 16:32
Kazakhmys, the FTSE 100 mining company, is in merger discussions with Metalloinvest, the Russian metals conglomerate controlled by billionaire Alisher Usmanov, FT Alphaville has learnt.
The deal is being structured as a reverse takeover and should see Mr Usmanov emerge with a controlling stake in the enlarged buisness, which would be re-listed on the London Stock Exchange. The merged company is expected to have a market value of around $50bn, with Lehman Brothers providing the primary corporate finance advice.
The board composition is still being negotiated, but will have to take account of the fact that Kazakhmys is Valdimir Kim, who currently controls 45 per cent of the company. The Kazakh government also has 15 per cent.
It’s reaction will be crucial — and will the response of ENRC, the rival Kazakh mining combine which offered to take Kazakhmys over earlier this year.
Metalloinvest is one of Russia’s fatest growing companies. It was has three main businesses: iron ore, steel and scrap metal. Lebedinsky Mining and Processing has a 21% shars of the Russia’s domestic iron ore market. Mr Usmanov had been planning to float up to 25 per cent of the company in Moscow and London in an initial public offering this autumn.
The Kremlin-friendly metals magnate who holds a 24 per cent stake in Arsenal Football Club, owns 50 per cent of Metalloinvest; his two partners Andrei Skotch and Vasily Anisimov hold 30 and 20 per cent respectively. Metalloinvest has been valued by analysts at up to $30bn.
The company recently held merger talks with Norlisk Nickel, the world’s biggest nickel producer.
However, the discussions became bogged down after Oleg Deripaska’s United Company Rusal acquired a 25 per cent stake in Norilsk, in spite of fierce resistance from Norilsk’s main shareholder Vladimir Potanin, the Russian billionaire. the market and will not be taking any revenue from this service.