18/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 December, the European Commission granted clearance to the acquisition of sole control of Norddeutsche Affinerie AG of Germany by Salzgitter AG, also of Germany. Salzgitter is the controlling company of a steel and technology corporate group and Norddeutsche Affinerie is the controlling company of a corporate group active in the copper industry. The European Commission also granted clearance to a second operation, the acquisition of joint control of a newly created undertaking by KXC (LCR) GP Investment Limited (LCR), KXC (EXEL) GP Investment Limited (Exel) and Argent King's Cross Nominee Limited (Argent), all of the UK. These tow operations were examined under the simplified merger review procedure. (C.D./trans/rh)