Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin, a major shareholder in Norilsk Nickel, suggested on Wednesday that the other major shareholder, top aluminum maker RusAl, could increase its presence on the board of the world's largest nickel producer.
"Nothing terrible will happen if the structure of the board of directors changes and representation of RusAl increases, if they are not satisfied with the current representation, but I do not see any urgency here," Potanin, owner of Interros investment company, told journalists.
Two seats on Norilsk Nickel’s board are reserved for independent directors.
"Let's have three or four," Potanin said, adding that the issue demanded "quiet consultations."
Interros and RusAl, controlled by billionaire Oleg Deripaska, have been embroiled in a shareholder row after RusAl had lost one seat on Norilsk's board at a June annual general meeting, while Interros increased its representation.
Norilsk will hold an emergency shareholders' meeting on Oct. 21
SOCHI, October 13 (RIA Novosti)
