Russian companies merge; $24 billion deal will create second largest potash firm

摘要

IF APPROVED, two Russian mining companies, OAO Uralkali and OAO Silvinit, will merge to create the second largest potash mining company in the world with a US$24-billion deal. OAO Uralkali will pay more than $8 billion in cash and snares to scoop up rival OAO Silvinit. The company will seek antitrust approval for the deal from the Russian government. The new firm would contribute roughly 17 percent of the world's supply of potash, according to U.K.-based industry consultant Fertecon Ltd.