MOSCOW, January 24 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian agency managing federal property said Tuesday that the government would retain its control over the diamond giant Alrosa, and may increase its stake further by acquiring more assets after the company's valuation was completed.
Alrosa is one of the world's leading producers of rough diamonds, accounting for 23% of the global output. It is co-owned by the federal government (37%), the government of the Russian diamond-rich republic of Yakutia (32%) and its own staff (23%). The remaining 8% belongs to Yakutia's eight constituent districts.
Earlier this month, the governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory in Siberia, Alexander Khloponin, said Alrosa might merge with the mining giant Norilsk Nickel and that the government would hold only a 25% stake in the new company.
The British broadsheet The Times also said, citing Moscow-based bankers, that the Russian government may soon regain its control over Norilsk Nickel by having it taken over by Alrosa.
Government and Norilsk Nickel officials dismissed both statements as unfounded rumors.
