* Australian nickel mine shut during financial crisis could restart * Minmetals says open to potential buyers * Nickel price more than double from when mine was mothballed but slipping (Adds details, quotes, nickel price data) By James Regan SYDNEY, June 23 (Reuters) - China's Minmetals has received interest from outside parties to operate its mothballed Avebury nickel mine in Australia, MMG, the company's Australian subsidiary, said on Thursday. The mine was shut down at the height of the global financial crisis due to low world nickel prices, which fell below $10,000 a tonne, less than half the current price. "In recent months MMG has received interest from other potential partners and operators with a stated interest in the mine," MMG said in a statement. "As a result, MMG will conduct a formal expression of interest process for participation in, or potential sale of, Avebury," it said. Mining companies, including Vale , Xstrata , AngloAmerican and Sherritt International have been racing to construct new mines mostly to feed demand for nickel to make stainless steel, hoping prices will continue to strengthen in step with projected consumption growth.

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