Chilean judge visits Barrick's Pascua Lama mine high in Andes to review suspended project

SANTIAGO, Chile – A Chilean judge is visiting Barrick Gold Corp's Pascua Lama mine in a review of the suspended project.

Judge Antonio Ulloa is evaluating the project Monday before he rules whether construction can resume at the world's highest-altitude gold mine.

He is visiting the mine with company officials, environmental regulators and leaders of the Diaguita indigenous community, who live in the foothills of the Andes, just downstream from the mine.

The appeals court judge temporarily suspended construction work in April after siding with the Diaguita against the world's biggest gold mining company. The Diaguita say the mine threatens their water supply and pollutes nearby glaciers.

Chile's environmental regulator then blocked the $8.5 billion project in May and imposed its maximum fine citing "serious violations" of its environmental permit.