Ernesto Alvarez, president of Peru’s Constitutional Tribunal, said the court was expected to make a decision regarding Newmont’s stalled Conga Mining project in the next two months.

The central government wants the court to null an ordinance made by Cajamarca’s regional government that banned work on the Conga mining project, over fears the mine would contaminate local water supplies.

The country’s highest court began hearing oral arguments for the case last Wednesday.

"A sufficient debate shouldn't take more than two months. That is approximately when we could have the sentence," the tribunal's president, Ernesto Alvarez said, according to Andina.

Earlier this year, the central government hired three international consultants to carry out an additional environmental impact study of the Conga project. The review could be completed as early as this week.

If approved, Minas Conga would be Peru’s biggest mining project, and would see up to $4.8 billion in investment.

Newmont said it hoped to start production in late 2014, or early 2015.

Last week Newmont CEO Richard O’Brien said he was confident the Peruvian government would approve the proposed Conga mining project.

"The President supports mining and the Conga project. It is an important investment for the company and the country. The President knows that social inclusion depends on new revenue," O’Brien said. “[Humala] wants the project to continue,” he added
 

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