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LONDON (Reuters) - Minority shareholders in zinc producer Nyrstar are seeking 1.48 billion euros (1.28 billion pounds) in damages from global commodities trader Trafigura over the restructuring of the Belgian firm, the shareholders' lawyer said on Saturday.
Nyrstar was on the brink of bankruptcy before Trafigura stepped in. The Geneva-based trader has a 24.4% stake in the Belgium-listed firm.
The statement outlines for the first time the total damages sought by the minority shareholders and marks an escalation in the fight for Nyrstar after several months of legal action.
"We have publicly launched the suit and the formal filing will be put to the Brussels commercial court just after the shareholders general meeting on Nov. 5," Laurent Arnauts of Watt Legal lawfirm representing about 100 shareholders said.
As part of the deal to save Nyrstar, lenders had to write off part of their debt or agree to extended repayment schemes while all the firm's operating assets were transferred into a new subsidiary called Newco 2 based in Britain, in which Trafigura holds a 98% stake.
The remaining shareholders were then left with a 2% stake in the operating assets held by Newco 2 through their firm called Nyrstar.
Nyrstar was on the brink of bankruptcy before Trafigura stepped in. The Geneva-based trader has a 24.4% stake in the Belgium-listed firm.
The statement outlines for the first time the total damages sought by the minority shareholders and marks an escalation in the fight for Nyrstar after several months of legal action.
"We have publicly launched the suit and the formal filing will be put to the Brussels commercial court just after the shareholders general meeting on Nov. 5," Laurent Arnauts of Watt Legal lawfirm representing about 100 shareholders said.
As part of the deal to save Nyrstar, lenders had to write off part of their debt or agree to extended repayment schemes while all the firm's operating assets were transferred into a new subsidiary called Newco 2 based in Britain, in which Trafigura holds a 98% stake.
The remaining shareholders were then left with a 2% stake in the operating assets held by Newco 2 through their firm called Nyrstar.