Protests in Peru halt Newmont gold mine project

US company Newmont which is planning a huge open-cast gold mine in northern Peru says it is halting construction after days of protests. At least 10 people were injured on Tuesday at the site in the high Andes. Critics say the $4.8bn (£3.1bn) mining project will cause pollution and destroy water supplies. The Denver-based mining giant has promised to resume dialogue with local residents and the government in an effort to reach a compromise.

Newmont, based in Denver, Colorado, is the majority owner of the Conga project, which was to begin production in 2015 and is an extension of Yanacocha, Latin America's biggest gold mine. "For the sake of re-establishing tranquillity and social peace in Cajamarca (region), it has been decided to suspend the project's activities," said a statement from the Yanacocha mine, operated by Newmont and its local partner Buenaventura.

The Conga project, located some 3,700 m (12,140 feet) above sea level, involves moving the water from four lakes high in the mountains into reservoirs the company would build.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15956429