Business briefly

Consent decree will allow reopening mine

(AP) - The owner of a northeast Nevada gold mine has signed a consent decree with state environmental regulators that will allow it to resume operations.

The decree between Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp. subsidiary Queenstake Resources and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection requires the company to pay a $550,000 settlement.

It was filed Monday in Elko District Court and will become effective once it is approved by a judge.

State officials say the biggest environmental issues pertaining to the mine's mercury emissions have been resolved.

Environmental regulators ordered the mill closed May 30 for failure to install equipment to control mercury air emissions.

Vancouver, British Columbia-based Yukon-Nevada said needed parts didn't arrive in time.

Nevada gas prices begin fall decline

(AP) - Average gasoline prices in Nevada have fallen about a dime since September, marking a typical autumn decline after the busy summer driving season.

AAA Nevada says the statewide average price fell 9 cents to $2.70. That's 68 cents lower than this time last year.

Prices fell 10 cents in Carson City, where the average is $2.77, and dropped an equal amount in Las Vegas.

The biggest monthly decline was in Reno, where prices are 13 cents lower than last month and now average $2.77 a

gallon.

In Elko, the average price fell 9 cents to $2.75.

The national average price fell 10 cents to $2.48.