Gerardo de la Cruz, a 42-year-old farmer, is one of thousands who spent two weeks blockading a U.S.-run gold mine [Yanacocha, joint venture Newmont & Buenaventura]...The siege...was lifted Sept. 17 after Peru's Mining Ministry struck a deal to postpone the search for ore pending a study of the impact mining could have on the water supply to de la Cruz's village...Newmont spokesman, Doug Hock, said Yanacocha underestimated water concerns but was eager to work more closely with the community on the new water study. [also refers to Manhattan Minerals]