OPINION: Time-wasting in mining negotiations

Negotiations between the State and Minera Panamá have been at a standstill for weeks. It seems that the differences are insurmountable since both parties accuse each other of intransigence. Since yesterday, the operations of the mine have been suspended, since the company alleges that, since it cannot operate its port to export the mineral concentrate, there is no space to store. Both parties resort to pressure instruments and, in between, thousands of workers and suppliers feel the effects. Now, we all remember that an agreement was announced in January 2022, the same one that 11 months later was repudiated by the mining company. If they already reached an understanding once, What now prevents them from parking their differences? What happened for the mining company to change its mind and risk all its investment? The company must be more specific and not send its workers to the streets and to the media, in order to move the counterpart and public opinion. Both the government and the mine must understand that the well-being of the country and its inhabitants is paramount and, in this way, do what is necessary to reach an agreement that benefits everyone. What you can’t do is keep wasting time. – LA PRENSA, Feb. 24.