OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, the world’s larget producer of the metal, may replace Chief Executive Officer Vladimir Strzhalkovsky with billionaire shareholder Vladimir Potanin, three people familiar with the matter said.

Potanin is seeking to maintain control of Russia’s largest mining company amid discussions with fellow Norilsk shareholder United Co. Rusal, headed by fellow billionaire Oleg Deripaska.

Strzhalkovsky is aware of the main shareholder’s desire to replace him, Norilsk’s press service said in reply to e-mailed questions by Bloomberg, referring to Potanin.

To contact the reporter on this story: Yuliya Fedorinova in Moscow at yfedorinova@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Brad Cook at bcook7@bloomberg.net