Petaquilla repair bill to cost millions

REPAIRING the environmental damage caused by Petaquilla mining activities in the district of Donoso, Colon, will require the outlay of millions of dollars.

It has been inactive since late 2013, due to lack of financing. It is also the center of an alleged stock market manipulating scandal allegedly involving ex-president Ricardo Martinelli
One of the points worrying authorities is that with the cessation of activities in Molejón Petaquilla Gold, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Petaquilla Minerals, problems have arisen with the tailings basins.
The Ministry of Environment is preparing a proposal for submission to Cabinet to get funds to pump water that accumulates in tubs from the rains, strengthening embankments, cleaning of soils with hydrocarbons and maintaining abandoned spaces in the area.
Mirei Endara, head of the organization, said that for these tasks they have requested about $2.5 million, but to restore the natural space and completely clean the area an estimated $30 million is required.
According Endara, they have met with the community to assess the issue, as there are concerns among the residents over potential environmental risks reports La Prensa.
During a meeting on May 29, leaders of the Citizens Committee Coclesito and neighboring towns handed notes to various institutions in which they expressed their anger at the apathy about the project.
They also complained about the lack of information to several nearby communities about the tubs and “risks” that could arise on the site.
Antonio Chang, Environmental Advocacy Center (CIAM) noted that poor environmental management in Petaquilla has caused damage and that due to the abandonment the project has been unable to apply proper environmental management for two years.
The Center rejected the State bearing the cost of environmental damage caused by the company.
The environmental organization has filed several complaints with the Public Ministry and the Ministry of Environment for the damages caused. .
Another aspect bothering environmentalists is that the protected area of Donoso has not regained its reserve status.
The wildlife refuge lost its category three years ago.
In addition to the environmental issue, the authorities assess the employment status of workers who were not paid benefits for the abandonment of the activity.
The Working Committee of the National Assembly met with the director of the Social Security Fund (CSS), Estivenson Giron, and agreed to request the Executive to check the contract with the company Petaquilla Gold, due to environmental, public health and labor problems.