BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- An Argentine judge investigating a cyanide spill at Toronto-based Barrick Gold's Veladero mine has temporarily suspended some operations by the world's largest gold mining company until the cause can be determined.
Judge Pablo Oritja suspended all operations by the Canadian company that use cyanide and said environmental impact can't be ruled out.
But he added Tuesday that waters were not contaminated and would not be harmful to humans.
On Sept. 13, Barrick (TSX:ABX) said a pipe carrying cyanide at the Veladero mine had a valve failure causing a leak into nearby waters. An investigation determined about 1,000 cubic metres of liquid cyanide had spilled.
Local residents have feared contamination of their water resources.
Barrick has declined to comment on the judicial actions.
