Russia's Kerimov denies plans to exit Polyus Gold

MOSCOW, Jan 29 (Reuters) - A spokesman for tycoon Suleiman Kerimov denied a report on Wednesday that the businessman was looking for buyers for his 40.22 percent stake in Russia's biggest gold miner Polyus Gold PGIL.L .

The spokesman for Kerimov's investment vehicle, Nafta Moskva, said a report in Russian daily Vedomosti, which cited sources close to the businessman, "had no basis in fact".

"This is not true, we are not searching for a (Polyus Gold) buyer," he said.

Vedomosti reported that Kerimov, Polyus Gold's largest shareholder, had been looking to sell his stake since last autumn, but has failed so far to find a buyer.

Kerimov, 47, has been selling out of his businesses, including a 21.75 percent holding in potash giant Uralkali

URKA.MM and a 36 percent stake in Russia's biggest homebuilder PIK .

Uralkali pulled out of a potash cartel with Belarus in July, upsetting the market and infuriating the former Soviet ally.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin, editing by Elizabeth Piper)

((vladimir.soldatkin@thomsonreuters.com)(+7 495 775 12 42)(Reuters Messaging: vladimir.soldatkin.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: RUSSIA POLYUS/GOLD