Panama’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MICI) authorized Canadian 🇨🇦 mining subsidiary Minera Panama to process, export, and market rock material already extracted from the Cobre Panamá Mine in Donoso. This was communicated through a resolution published on April 7, 2026, in the Official Gazette.
According to the Ministry, the decision was made based on environmental risks. The measure allows for the removal and utilization of material accumulated on-site, without implying a reactivation of mining operations nor new exploration activities.
Minera Panama, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, has to pay all costs related to the processing, transport and export of the material. The resulting copper concentrate may be exported and marketed internationally.
According to official and company estimates, the volume of available material exceeds 38 million tons, with the potential to generate approximately 70,000 tons of copper concentrate.
The activities will be subject to supervision by the MICI, the Ministry of Environment and other competent entities, in an attempt to ensure compliance with current regulatory and environmental provisions.
The Cobre Panama mine has been in a state of conservation since the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama declared the concession contract unconstitutional in November 2023 and annulled it. Long-term re-opening of the mine is being considered.
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