More reports have surfaced adding to rising doubts over BHP Billiton Limited’s (ASX:BHP) ability to approval major projects sooner rather than later. 

Fairfax Media says the global miner’s chief has told a Chinese business website not to expect any new major approval of projects in the next six months.

BHP’s top executives warned earlier this month it will pull back from its ambitious $80 billion expansion programme because  higher costs and lower commodity prices.

BHP is due to make a number of investment decisions including the expansion of its Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in South Australia, the Jansen potash expansion in Saskatchewan and Port Hedland outer harbour in Western Australia. 

BHP posted a net profit of $9.9 billion in the first half of its 2012 financial year.