First Quantum opens Panama mine for public visits

First Quantum Minerals is opening its Panamanian copper mine for public visits in an attempt to gain support for restarting operations under the next government.

The Canadian mining company was forced to close the Cobre Panamá copper mine last year following weeks of civilian protests that led to suspension of operations, and the ensuing Supreme Court ruling that First Quantum’s contract to mine was unconstitutional. Activists were opposed to alleged damage the mine was causing to Panama’s ecosystem.

Robert Harding, chairman of First Quantum, told Bloomberg in an interview on Monday that the Cobre Panamá mine had signed up around 1,000 people so far to tour the open-pit and processing plants. He hopes that the tours will prove the mine’s merits to the country and its residents.

The company sees the eight-hour tours as a way of communicating with civilians about environmental and social concerns. Visitors can speak with staff on the tours and a virtual tour is also being prepared.

Maru Gálvez, spokesperson for Cobre Panamá, said: “We have high expectations that this experience will be enriching for all participants and that it will give them the opportunity to learn about reality for themselves. We want to deny the misinformation that has been generated around the operation of the mine.”

Harding stressed that it was important that his company develops a strong relationship with Panamanians, especially considering that mining is relatively new in the country.

“We had a mine that worked for the people of Panama, so I am confident that we will find a solution,” Harding told Bloomberg.

First Quantum admits that it could have done a more thorough job of communicating the job creation and revenue for Panama derived from the mine’s operations. However, Gálvez added that the shutdown order was partly determined by social media hysteria and misinformation.

The next election in Panama will be held on 5 May 2024.