Aug 18. Severstal is in talks with banks over a USD 1.5 bn loan. These resources are to be used for specific purposes. The arrangers are to be appointed by the end of August, one banker said. In June Severstal reached an agreement on a USD 900 mn loan. The proceeds were used to take over US-based Esmark. Severstal has declined to comment on the new loan. In June the company reported plans to take over a coal maker with US roots in order to secure long-term coal supplies. In addition, Severstal said that it eyes M&As on the iron ore and coking coal markets in Russia and CIS and is set to implement greenfield projects in Russia and neighboring countries and form alliances with large mining companies.