Uralchem owner Dmitry Mazepin recently joined the contest for a stake in the world's largest potash miner Uralkali, according to Vedomosti.

Uralkali dissolved its potash export cartel with Belarussian potash miner Belaruskali in July. Said cartel accounted for 40% of international sales.  

A Reuters report said speculation quickly mounted that Uralkali's main owner Suleiman Kerimov may have to sell his 21.75% stake on the company.

According to the Russian newspaper, Mazepin and tycoon-turned-politician Mikhail Prokhorov may jointly venture on the Uralkali deal. Russia's top lenders Sberbank and VTB are geared to finance the deal.

Meanwhile, Vedomosti sources named three other possible bidders for Kerimov's stake including Russian oil-to-telecoms conglomerate owner Vladimir Evtushenkov and his partner Mikhail Gutseriev, investor Vladimir Kogan and Prokhorov.

Mazepin has a fortune of at least USD3.2 billion, according to Forbes estimates. Potash miner Uralkali has a current market capitalisation of around USD15 billion, whilst owner Kerimove values the company at  USD20 billion.