PNG's Ramu nickel mine output delayed to June-exec

SINGAPORE Nov 13 (Reuters) - Production from the Ramu nickel mine in Papua New Guinea will likely be delayed until June of 2010, an executive with the mine's developer told Reuters on Friday.

The $1.7 billion Ramu project was halted by the Papua New Guinea government for a month in mid-2008 due to health and safety concerns.

"We originally planned to begin partial production at the end of next year, but actually now we will begin real production in June of next year," said Zuo Weiwen, chairman of the overseas unit of Metallurgical Corp. of China, or MCC.

The mine would likely ramp up to full capacity within 12 months of first production, he said.

Australia-listed Highlands Pacific Ltd (HIG.AX), which owns 8.56 percent of the project, said at the time that the stoppage would not affect construction time.

Nickel from the mine is designed to supply stainless steel mills in China. (Reporting by Lucy Hornby, Editing by Dean Yates)