Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Canada’s First Quantum Minerals Ltd. may be among bidders to acquire BHP Billiton Ltd.’s Ravensthorpe nickel operations in West Australia, the Australian Financial Review said, citing a source it didn’t name.

The Vancouver-based copper miner may face competition from other bidders including Minara Resources Ltd. and China Metallurgical Group, the newspaper said.

Final bids for Ravensthorpe may be due by Nov. 25, the Review said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Madelene Pearson in Melbourne on mpearson1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 15, 2009 15:39 EST