Largest Latin American gold mine in Peru resumes operation after protest

The Yanacocha mine in northern Peru, the largest in Latin America, has resumed operation following the clinching of a deal to iron out pollution concerns that sparked a week-long protest by a local community late last month, local media reported on Sunday.

The roadblock was lifted on Wednesday and the mining operation restarted the next day, said a statement from the Yanacocha mine, which is mostly owned by Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp.

Under the deal, the local government would monitor the water in the region, while the company would build a water treatment plant.

Yanacocha also agreed to compensate the family of a community member killed in a standoff between residents and security guards.

The disputing parties have agreed to hold further talks in the next few weeks to settle remaining issues.

Residents of the Combayo community erected roadblocks on Aug. 23 in protest against water pollution. Yanacocha said the confrontation brought its operation to a halt, causing daily losses of 1.8 million U.S. dollars.

Source: Xinhua