The restart is about two weeks ahead of its estimated timeline.

Leagold said in early October it would go into a temporary shutdown due to regional drought conditions. It also furloughed workers, though recalls are in process ahead of a planned restart date of November 20.

"With the onset of the rainy season, the water storage facilities have now accumulated the required water to support the restart of operations about two weeks ahead of our anticipated schedule," CEO Neil Woodyer said.

"We are now implementing a phased restart of RDM using the existing diesel gensets, and will transition to the national grid during the commissioning of the new power line that is expected in late December."

He added that, as the reservoir water builds during the rainy season that typically extends from November through March, it will continue to implement water use reduction programs: "RDM is expected to be well positioned for stable and continuous operations in 2019."

Leagold said in October that the cost impact from the idle of RDM was projected to be about US$5 million monthly in October and November.

RDM is one of four active company operations.