The Canadian producer said on Monday that the complex in Barrancas, Department of La Guajira, restarted last Saturday for the first time since strike activity began at 6am local time on January 22.

Production returned to normal levels on Sunday and officials said it would “decisively work on catching up on lost production” from the stoppage.

“The disruption was cleared up when the Barrancas municipality issued an order for the unauthorized personnel to clear the premises, which was enforced by local police,” the company said.

“The police force that participated in these events is still at La Caypa and will remain stationed there throughout next week.”

It thanked those involved, including authorities, its security team and in-house counsel for helping to find a peaceful resolution.

Pacific Coal first announced the illegal strike on January 30, when it confirmed the presence of “unauthorized personnel” who were not employees of Pacific Coal or its subsidiary Carbones Colombianos del Cerrejon but who were from Gente Caribe and Gente Estrategica, which provided workers to the company’s contracted miner Obras Proyectos Minera SA to mine and remove overburden at La Caypa.

“Allegations by personnel involved are in respect [of] a dispute involving their union, OPM and the personnel providers which, at present, are under review by the labour courts at Riohacha, Guajira,” Pacific Coal said at the time.

“CCC and Pacific Coal are not a part of these proceedings.

“The company views the actions of retaining private property, occupation of private premises and blocking the mine as illegal.”

In addition to La Caypa, Pacific Coal also operated the Cerro Largo open pit operation and the Cl Jam underground mine.