SMELTING GROUP WILL FINNISH JOINING MAIN LIST POST MERGER

But Ruuki’s stay on London’s ­junior market will be shortlived, as it will be moving up to the main list a few months later.

The idea of the merger, which ­values Aim-listed Sylvania at ­£228 million, is to create an integrated mining and smelting group capable of competing with giants such as Anglo-American and Lonmin.

The group’s value will be £700million.

Sylvania’s chairman Richard ­Rossiter said the deal would help accelerate its growth strategy.

Ruuki chief executive Alwin Smit said the group was supportive of Sylvania’s offers for two other metal groups.