Nafta Moskva, the investment vehicle of billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, has refuted reports of an alleged deal to buy a blocking stake in Silvinit, Russia's largest potash chloride producer, Nafta Moskva said on Monday.

"We deny information that we are buying Silvinit," Nafta's Managing Director Anton Averin told RIA Novosti.

Vedomosti newspaper said on Monday Nafta Moskva would close a deal on Silvinit in August. Kerimov bought shares in Russia's second largest potash producer Uralkali, in June.

Vedomosti claimed a group of investors would buy 52.4 percent of Silvinit in Kerimov's interest under a scheme similar to the one used to buy 53.2 percent of Uralkali from its owner Dmitry Rybolovlev.

According to local media, Silvinit board member Pyotr Kondrashyov holds 52.4 percent of its shares, although just 1.05 percent is in his direct ownership.

Kerimov already holds 25 percent of Silvinit shares which he bought from Rybolovlev and his partner Vladimir Shevtsov. Nafta Moskva nas been acquiring Silvinit securities on the open market for the past two months, the paper said.

MOSCOW, Aug 2 (RIA Novosti)