UPDATE 1-Newmont says to delay decision on Peru mine project

(Adds background about project, paragraphs 3-5)

LIMA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Newmont Mining Corp (NEM.N) said on Tuesday it will delay a development decision on its Minas Conga copper-gold project in Peru until the first quarter of 2009 because of the global financial crisis.

The company had originally said it would announce a decision by the end of this year.

U.S.-based Newmont, one of the world's largest gold miners, controls the Yanacocha Peru gold pit, one of Latin America's largest.

The company previously said the Conga project could start operating at the end of 2011 or the start of 2012.

Peru is the world's fifth largest gold producer. (Reporting by Teresa Cespedes; Writing by Dana Ford; Editing by David Gregorio)