Swiss company SGS Panama Control Services🇨🇭has been chosen to perform a full audit 🔎 of the Cobre Panamá copper mine, operated by Canadian company First Quantum Minerals.
The audit will examine the mine’s environmental, legal, and operational conditions, along with associated risks, and will verify compliance in these areas as outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR). This includes evaluating surface and groundwater quality, soil, vegetation, air quality, and mine tailings, among other factors.
The selection followed a tender process led by the Ministry of the Environment. According to the Panama Compra tender portal, the audit contract is valued at $539,791 and is expected to take six months.
Although the contract has not yet been formally awarded, the government confirmed that final legal steps are underway before the official announcement.
Meanwhile, President Mulino is weighing the possibility of reopening the copper mine, which was shut down in 2023 after widespread protests over environmental issues paralyzed the country.