Norilsk to seek debt restructuring - paper

MOSCOW May 3 (Reuters) - Russian miner Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.MM), the world's largest nickel producer, is seeking to reschedule debts linked to the 2007 takeover of Canada's LionOre, London's Independent on Sunday reported on Sunday.

Norilsk declined to comment when contacted by Reuters after the newspaper reported it "is looking to ease the terms of the loan taken out on its $6.4bn purchase of Canadian rival LionOre in 2007".

The London offices of investment banks Rothschild and Lazard have been approached by Norilsk to help "sort out its debt difficulties", the Independent on Sunday reported.

The company, also Russia's largest platinum and copper miner, is co-owned by some of Russia's richest men.

Billionaire Vladimir Potanin has reduced his stake to 25 percent plus one share, while United Company RUSAL -- majority owned by Oleg Deripaska -- holds a similar stake. (Reporting by Conor Sweeney; Editing by Hans Peters)