BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) said Thursday it has approved the US$152 million talc redesign project at its Mount Keith nickel operation.

The project is set to start output in 2011, and will support the production and cost improvements at Mt Keith, and will enable the mine to obtain full value from talc-bearing ore types, BHP said in a statement.

"This will assist in sustaining the production at Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter at approximately 100,000 (metric) tons per annum," it said.

-By Elisabeth Behrmann, Dow Jones Newswires;

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