No  Government approval yet for sand extraction project in tourist spot

In the midst of rising opposition to a sand extraction project in Portobelo, Colón province, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (Mici) reported that they have not yet approved a concession for this activity.

Mici told La Prensa that it has not granted either an exploration concession or a concession for the extraction of underwater sand to the company Grupo Los Farallones, SA, which wants almost 1,500 hectares in Portobelo.

The entity pointed out that, at the moment, there is a request for evaluation of three environmental impact studies (EIA), category II, which are pending review and decision by the Ministry of Environment.

The specific extraction points for underwater sand are located in the district of Portobelo, between the corregimientos of Cacique and Puerto Lindo.

The first study involves the extraction of underwater sand within a 450-hectare polygon, while the second covers an extension of 484 hectares and the third another 484 hectares.

Among the critical voices, there are those who say that a single EIA should have been submitted, since the three areas are linked, and category III, not II, which would have required a mandatory public consultation.

Organizations and residents of the area have submitted their opposition briefs as part of the evaluation process carried out by the Ministry of the Environment on the three environmental impact studies.

Leticia Fonseca presented a document signed by 189 people from the Santa Isabel district, in Colón, in which she mentions that, after several meetings with specialists, the population has understood that the affectations will cause negative impacts on a sensitive and protected area. , such as the Portobelo National Park, tourism in the area, and artisanal fishing, as well as the marine and coral ecosystem, causing irreversible damage.

“It would contaminate the waters, it would change the landscape of the area, among other serious damages that today are a great tourist attraction,” Fonseca said.

Locals and investors would be affected in their economy, since it is an area, with its mentioned attractions, which give livelihood to thousands of Panamanian families.

The NGO Reef Foundation Panama also presented a  note requesting the rejection of the three EIAs.

“We are facing an imminent threat. It is proposed to grant permission for the extraction of sand from the sea floor, which would be detrimental to the ecosystem and marine life ”, reads the letter delivered to the Ministry of Environment.