Business leaders demand moratorium on mining concessions

Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (Cciap) has called on the Government to approve an immediate moratorium on new mining concessions and to review the Mining Code, as an emergency measure to respond to the population’s outcry against mining and the approved contract.

“We demand the National Government decree as soon as possible a moratorium on the granting of mining concessions for both exploitation and exploration and to establish as soon as possible a date for the review and strengthening of the Mineral Resources Code, which will allow defining the future of the country in this matter,” said the president of the Chamber Adolfo Fábrega, accompanied by the members of the board of directors.

Fábrega called on the Supreme Court of Justice to act expeditiously and respond quickly to the resources that have been requested.

“ We call on the Supreme Court of Justice to rule in law and in an expeditious time against the lawsuits presented. What now corresponds is the next action of the judicial body,” he insisted.

The businessmen recommended creating a unified authority that can audit, monitor, and sanction existing mining concessions that are also made up of representatives of civil society.

Vandalism
Fábrega said that they condemn the criminal and vandalism acts against personal safety that have affected independent workers, small entrepreneurs, distribution trucks, small and medium-sized businesses, and private property

“All of these represent aggravated criminal actions, upon which the full weight of the law must fall because intentionally, their actors mix among citizens who exercise their right to demonstrate peacefully,” he said.

Fábrega indicated that the national government should have a clearer statement on the actions that will be carried out urgently and immediately in defense of the country and in response to the clamor of the population.

“ Here we are talking about the potential destruction of democracy in our country and there is nothing more important than this and the risk we are experiencing.

“It is important that the population understands this and the Government must understand it equally and that is why we request immediate action to give us the tranquility and stability that the country needs at this very worrying time,” he said.