Who was the master of potash ores

What is the association you have the phrase "potash"? If you are not professionally engaged in the topic, as an investor, for example, it is unlikely that you represent something lovely smell. And for good reason. First, the potassium chloride is much closer to salt than to what you think. Secondly, this is a great business. Any business person wants to find a vacant niche in the market, as long as you do not penetrate its competitors. Or to penetrate, but not more than ten significant producers in the world. Living embodiment of this idea in the primary sector - mining of potassium chloride. Thanks to the extremely small number of its deposits in the world and even smaller - the rich - the industry has developed a real oligopoly. Third, demand, growing with the population of the Earth and its wealth. Agricultural output is consumed by more and more. To receive it, you need fertilizer. And if the phosphorus and nitrogen supplements help to increase crop yields, the potassium works to improve the taste. On the Russian company "Silvinit" and "Uralkali" is about 15-20% of world production of raw materials, together with the "Belaruskali" - 40-45% of global turnover. So why did Peter Kondrashov and Anatoly Lomakin and Dmitri Rybolovlev sold their share of these remarkable assets more effectively and at the bottom of the market? Three to one. On "Uralkali" long shark teeth sharpened Russian business, firmly fused with the authorities. Insanely attractive margin (76% EBITDA margin in 2008) in combination with the problems that bogged down the company (if it had not been flooded mine in Berezniki, Suleiman Kerimov is worth it to come up with), and the owner of, by and large by accident got into the higher league of domestic business. In a word, "Uralkali" seemed an easy prey. And just by coincidence company changed hands before. Stunning return became possible only with the rapid growth of prices for potash fertilizers (he started in 2007). No sooner had the potential contenders for the "Uralkali" Sechin to attack, as they had to deal with their own problems: global financial crisis and finally got to the "safe haven". Potash ore host at the time left in peace. In early 2010, around the potash producers again begun to move. Then came a letter signed by Andrei Belyaninov. Head of Federal Customs Service proposed to establish an export duty on potassium chloride. For the "BRIC" and "Silvinit" not fatal, but it could be very expensive because they sell on the export of more than 80% of raw materials. Mr. Rybolovlev realized it was time. In the summer of Suleiman Kerimov the company Filaret Galchev (№ 30) and Alexander Nesis (№ 51) buys 53% of the "BRIC" for $ 5.3 billion, with the number 7 ranking itself is paying real money for only half of it attributable to the share, for the rest he gave 10% of "Polyus Gold" and 100% "Voentorg" (I do it without Mr. Rybolovlev just could not live.) Then, Karimov has attracted two other billionaires (№ 65 and № Zelimkhan Mutsoev Anatoly Skurov 69) for the buyout "Silvinit." And in the main directions of budgetary policy for 2011-2012, issued by the Ministry of Finance, proposals Belyaninov word. In contrast, earnings will grow even: the fundamental unfairness of FAS suddenly saw a huge difference between the cost of potassium chloride in Russia (4.3 thousand rubles) and external ($ 400) markets. FAS is the same, which has always defended the interests of manufacturers of complex fertilizers as "Akron", "Eurochem" or "Uralchem" suddenly allowed to increase prices for them by 20% since January. The position of department changed 180 degrees. Fusion reaction. Then there's what the market said in the summer, two companies, as well as in the Soviet Union, will work together again. The shareholders approved a merger in early February, and "Uralkali" for a deal estimated at 1.8 times the price of "Silvinit", the total cost - $ 21.5 billion already guess who gets the largest block of shares? In the capital of the merged company will own Suleiman Kerimov, 16.1% for Filaret Galchev have 9.4%, 8.5% more, it seems, Alexander Nesis. The new shareholders have earned a good idea, because from the time of the transaction by year-end market value of the potash producers has grown by half. And this is not the limit, as before the crisis in the summer of 2008, only one, "Uralkali" worth $ 32.5 billion