TOKYO, Aug. 17 -- Sumitomo Corp., Japan's third- largest trading house, said it resumed operations at its zinc, silver and lead mine in Bolivia as protesters suspended road blockades after threatening to cut power to the site.

Operations at the San Cristobal resumed yesterday, spokesman Koji Furui said today by phone. Sumitomo's wholly owned mine was closed for maintenance on Aug. 10 and 11, and was shut from Aug. 12 following the protests, he said.

Protesters suspended road blockades and hunger strikes yesterday, saying government officials agreed to address their grievances after 19 days of demonstrations that paralyzed Bolivia's southern Potosi region, the Associated Press reported.

Sumitomo took over full ownership of the mine, the world's third-biggest producer of silver and sixth-largest for zinc, last year after its partner, Apex Silver Mines Ltd., filed for bankruptcy. The mine produces about 1,300 metric tons of zinc- silver ore and 300 tons of lead-silver ore a day.

Protesters blocked major roads in the Potosi region since July 29 amid a border dispute with neighboring Oruro over a limestone deposit and construction of an international airport.