BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) is conducting a review of options for its mothballed Ravensthorpe nickel mine in Western Australia state until the end of the year, a company spokesman said Friday.

The Melbourne-based miner is also still looking at the future of the Yabulu refinery in Queensland state, and the internal review of the operation is due to conclude at the end of this month.

The Australian Financial Review reported Friday that BHP was considering a packaged sale of both operations, with Xstrata Plc (XTA.LN) and Gladstone Pacific Nickel Ltd. (GPN.LN) showing interest.

BHP last year decided to close to Ravensthorpe only months after commissioning the US$2.1 billion project.

It also made modifications to Yabulu to take on ore feed from Ravensthorpe, including significantly larger processing capacity.

The spokesman declined to comment on BHP's specific plans for both operations.

"We're conducting an options review for Ravensthorpe that will conclude at the end of 2009. We're looking at all options," he said.

-By Elisabeth Behrmann, Dow Jones Newswires;

61-2-8272-4689 elisabeth.behrmann@dowjones.com