The latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

0737 GMT - EU approval for MMG's acquisition of Anglo American's Brazilian nickel business would be "the very best outcome" for European stainless steel customers and for the company's workers in Brazil, the London-listed mining company's chief operating officer Ruben Fernandes says. His comments come on the back of a closed-door hearing with EU merger officials Thursday, who have raised concerns the transaction could divert supplies from Europe to China. "Prohibition means that we will head towards 'care and maintenance' as the pathway to closure of the operations in Brazil. That would be the ultimate lose-lose outcome," he says, adding that Anglo American presented "the clear realities of the market during the hearing."(edith.hancock@wsj.com)

Barring any material disruptions, West African Resources should comfortably meet its production targets, particularly if improved access to explosives continues. That is Macquarie's view following the gold miner's 3Q operational update. West African Resources reported 3Q output of 127,950 oz of gold. That beat Macquarie's forecast by 11%. "We are likely to see improved all-in sustaining costs this quarter, given stronger sales (135,000 oz, +22% quarter-over-quarter) offsetting the increase in mined and milled tonnage," Macquarie says. It retains an outperform call and A$4.00/share price target on West African Resources, which ended Thursday at A$3.50. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

2211 GMT - The big news in Fortescue's unscheduled operational update was 3.9 million tons of missing iron-ore sales and a commensurate build in working capital, Bell Potter says. Fortescue reported sales of 42.9 million tons in 1Q. That was 8% below shipments of 46.8 million tons. Fortescue attributed the gap to continuing negotiations with China Mineral Resource Group, which is China's centralized ore buying agency. "Typically, variance between Fortescue's shipments and sales is immaterial," analyst David Coates says. Price realizations appear to have suffered as a result. "While we view resolution as likely, we also view it as likely that the resolution will include lower price realizations over the long term, particularly as pricing power shifts to buyers in market conditions of stable demand and growing supply," Bell Potter says. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

1515 GMT - Gold futures pick up from yesterday's two-month low with the market digesting the minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest meeting. "Most policymakers judged another increase would likely be appropriate by year-end, keeping the yellow metal under pressure," Critical Metals CEO Tony Sage says in a note. "A strong dollar and elevated U.S. and European yields kept the opportunity cost of holding bullion high, further limiting the possibility of a rebound." Further Fed tightening could keep gold at risk, while demand from central banks may limit losses, he adds. Gold for December delivery is up 0.5% in New York at $4,161.10 a troy ounce. Silver is down 1.1% at $59.62 a troy ounce. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

1109 GMT - Air Liquide plans to accelerate acquisitions to increase density with a particular focus on China and the U.S., Citi analysts write. "No further details were provided on the potential size, geography or nature of strategic acquisitions but reassurance was given on the strategic fit," they say. The French industrial gases supplier expects M&A to contribute around one percentage point of its 5% sales compound annual growth rate target, primarily through bolt-ons. Citi has a buy rating on the stock and a 198 euro target price. Shares are down 1.75 at 166.04 euros, but 14% higher over the year-to-date.