Argentine judge halts Yamana mine works due unrest

* Indefinite court injunction follows protests

* Company yet to decide on mine's construction

BUENOS AIRES Feb 17 (Reuters) - An Argentine judge has halted work at a mining site owned by Canada's Yamana Gold Inc (YRI.TO) after violence erupted during protests by anti-mining activists, the company said on Wednesday.

Yamana is carrying out drilling works at its copper-gold Agua Rica project in the northwestern province of Catamarca, but it has not yet decided whether to start building the mine.

"There was a ruling by a judge to suspend any work done locally and we are complying with that and we were consulted in advance," said Yamana's investor relations director, Letitia Wong.

"It really is just to ensure safety in the community and the project," she said.

Local media said Judge Guillermo Cerda issued the injunction in an effort to restore calm to the area following the protests this week in which police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested about 50 people.

Yamana acquired Agua Rica when it took over Northern Orion Resources in 2007. The property has proven and probable reserves of 8.7 billion lbs of copper and 5.8 million ounces of gold, according to the company's website.

The site lies close to Xstrata Plc's (XTA.L) vast Alumbrera mine, of which Yamana owns a minority stake.

Anti-mining campaigners in the South American country have managed to block several exploration and production projects in recent years, lobbying provincial lawmakers to pass laws limiting or banning mining activity in certain areas. (Reporting by Helen Popper; editing by Jim Marshall)