Canada-based Barrick Gold has resumed normal operations at its Veladero gold mine in Argentina's San Juan province after securing approval from regional authorities.  

The company suspended operations at the mine on 15 September, a week after a pipe carrying process solution in the leach pad area was damaged due by falling ice, causing some material to be displaced from a leach pad.

The material was contained on the mine site and then returned to the leach pad.

Following extensive water monitoring in the area, it was confirmed that the incident did not result in any environmental impacts.

"Total gold production for this year is expected to be in the region of 5.5 million ounces."

Barrick Gold completed various remedial works needed by provincial authorities to prevent a similar incident occurring again.

As part of these measures, the company increased the height of perimeter berms that surround the leach pad.

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The company said it will continue to assess the impact of the temporary suspension on Veladero's production for this year.

However, total gold production for this year is expected to be in the region of 5.5 million ounces.

The Veladero mine is located at heights of 4,000m to 4,850m above sea level, 374km north-west of the city of San Juan.

Ore at this conventional open-pit operation is crushed by a two-stage crushing process and then transported by an overland conveyor and trucks to the leach pad area.