RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA, June 20 (Reuters) - Brazilian

miner Vale expects to reach a deal in the coming days

with northern Para state to resume activities at its Onca Puma

nickel mine, the firm said in a statement on Thursday.

The mine had its operating license suspended earlier this

year after Para's environment department flagged irregularities

in an annual environmental report.

Vale "hopes to conclude a deal in the coming days," Vale

told Reuters in a statement.

The Onca Puma mine accounted for around 10% of Vale's

total nickel production last year.