BHP says plenty of buyers interested in its shale assets

SYDNEY (Reuters) - BHP Billiton Chief Executive Andrew Mackenzie said a number of parties are interested in acquiring the company's U.S. shale business.

Mackenzie earlier on Tuesday said the division was no longer a core asset for the diversified mining house and that options were being explored for divestment.

He declined to name a price the company wanted.

(Reporting by James Regan; Editing by Richard Pullin)