26/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has granted clearance to the acquisition of sole control of WMC Resource Limited of Australia by Swiss undertaking Xstrata plc for an estimated 7.4 bn dollars. Xstrata is an international natural resources group based in Zurich exporting thermal coal. It also produces coal, copper, zinc, gold, silver and alloys. WMC is a major diversified Australian minerals explorer and producer. Its main business is the discovery, development, production, processing and marketing of minerals, metals and chemicals. WMC primarily produces nickel, copper, uranium oxide, gold, silver and phosphate fertilisers. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.