BHP Billiton said on Monday its Kalgoorlie nickel smelter has been closed after a fire that broke out over the weekend and the plant will remain shut while it assesses the damage.
Malaysian media reported the newly-elected coalition government will shortly begin a three month evaluation of the company's rare earths processing operations in the province of Kuantan.
But the court upheld part of the previous ruling requiring the miner to re-apply for its environmental licensing and start a community consultation process.
Until now, the Australian miner had been advancing exploration projects in Latin America focused mainly on gold, but with significant exposure to copper, molybdenum and zinc.
