Minera mining contract approved in third reading

While streets across the country were blocked by protestors The National Assembly approved  Friday, October 20, in the third debate, the mining contract between the Panamanian State and Minera Panamá, for the extraction of copper in Donoso, province of Colón with 47 votes in favor, 6 against and 2 abstentions. Friday’s session only lasted approximately 40 minutes. At 11:10 am, after the approval and the traditional souvenir photo, the president of the Assembly declared a recess until Monday.

After the contract was presented to the Assembly by the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Federico Alfaro last Monday, October 15, the project received three

Now it will be up to President Laurentino Cortizo, to sanction the law on the contract.

Only five deputies participated in this Friday’s debate; the independents Raúl Fernández, Juan Diego Vásquez, Walkiria Chandler, and Edison Broce, and the PRD representative Zulay Rodríguez.

During the debate independent deputy Raúl Fernández stated that the document does not establish a general mine closure plan.

Independent deputy Juan Diego Vásquez reiterated that this document did not receive due consultations.

PRD representative Zulay Rodríguez pointed said that Panama must file a countersuit against Minera Panamá for the “irreversible environmental damage they are committing.”

Representative Walkiria Chandler highlighted that with this contract the health, life, heritage, sovereignty, and future of Panamanians are being compromised.

Edison Broce emphasized that the population is concerned about how the country is being managed.

The new mining contract underwent some modifications after the document was withdrawn from the Assembly on September 28.

The modifications agreed between the Executive and the company were announced on Tuesday, October 10.

Minister Alfaro highlighted the retroactivity scenario that this project has from December 2021, since the company will pay $395 million, after the ruling of unconstitutionality issued by the Supreme Court of Justice on the previous contract.

Several groups have held protests rejecting the agreement.