BHP Billiton Ltd has agreed to offload the Ravensthorpe nickel mine in Western Australia to a Canadian copper miner for $US340 million ($A376.02 million) - at the lower end of price estimates. Nearly one year after BHP Billiton mothballed the mine, forcing 1,800 people to lose their jobs and creating a public relations nightmare, the sale may see the facility eventually re-opened. The sale of Ravensthorpe to First Quantum Minerals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada's First Quantum Minerals Ltd, was announced on Wednesday. "The company (First Quantum) intends to undertake further review work with a view to recommencing operations at Ravensthorpe," BHP Billiton said in a statement. "It is expected the sale will be finalised during the first quarter of 2010 calendar year."