BHP Billiton set to visit investors to smooth sales negotiations

Mining firm is set to visit US Potash Corp investors ahead of possible £25bn deal

Global mining firm BHP Billiton is set to visit Potash Corp investors in the US in a bid to smooth sales negotiations.

BHP has been linked with a $39 billion (£25 billion) move for Potash Corp and the firm's chief executive, Marius Kloppers, will meet investors who control around 20 per cent of Potash.

Common shareholders in the both firms include Capital World Investors, which owns 7.07 per cent of Potash Corp and Blackrock who currently hold a 3.89 per cent stake.

Mr Kloppers said: "We will find out more [from Potash shareholders] when we go to America. There is 50 per cent shareholder overlap in the US. Information is always a good thing to obtain."

Despite cooling interest from rival bidders such as Brazilian firm Vale, BHP is still expected to have to increase its offer from $130 (£85) a share to $150 (£97).

BHP announced a strong financial report for the year ending June 2010, with pre-tax profits of $19.6 billion (£12.7 billion), compared to $11.6 billion (£7.5 billion) last year.