MMC Norilsk Nickel and Rusal have returned to the idea of merging their companies, President of Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Potanin said. The merger is an alternative to renewal of the shareholder agreement, which expires at the end of this year, he explained. The companies first began discussing a merger in 2008 after Rusal acquired a 25% stake in Nornikel, but by November 2017 the owners of the companies abandoned the idea completely.