Cobre Panama wishes to contribute its knowledge and experience to the Government’s Plan for the mine.

Panama, December 22, 2023 – In response to the communiqué from the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jorge Rivera Staff, Cobre Panama wishes to provide clarity and transparency on its position regarding the next steps required for environmentally responsible management of the mine.

Since the ruling of unconstitutionality of Law 406 of 2023 went into effect, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) has not granted us the space to discuss the execution of the environmental stabilization measures for the site and to understand the legal situation with respect to our environmental obligations corresponding to this phase.
We are willing to participate in formal discussions and offer our knowledge and experience in planning for safe site management, particularly with respect to the multiple environmental, social and economic factors that must be considered.
It is necessary to establish the panel with multidisciplinary experts and international agencies to prepare a plan with the participation of the company, given our deep experience and knowledge of the site.
It is important to clarify that before and during the formulation and execution of a plan, to avoid environmental damage in the current non-operational phase, the access road to the mine and the international port must be cleared as a matter of urgency. We demand that the competent authorities reestablish free transit and the opening of all roads to the site. We hold the competent authorities responsible for the environmental consequences that may occur if critical supplies continue to be unable to access the mine.
Cobre Panama has ceased all copper concentrate production. We are in strict compliance with Panamanian law and abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling of November 28, 2023.

For more information: www.transparenciacobrepanama.com