Experts urge the Panamanian Government to Inspect the Donoso Mine

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned on Tuesday, November 26, about a lack of monitoring of the mine located in Donoso, in the province of Colón.  These concerns were discussed at an event commemorating the first anniversary of the ruling that the mining concession law contract between the Panamanian State and Cobre Panama was unconstitutional.  In addition, the IUCN, in collaboration with experts from the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), presented photographs obtained during an overflight of the mine in Donoso.  Mark Chernaik, director of ELAW’s scientific program, said that when flying over the area they were able to confirm that the processed rock storage is in the open air, so he warns of chemical reactions that could be adverse to the environment. 

At the same time, he presented a map of the surrounding areas affected by water emanating from the mine, which would affect the Caimitio and Coclé del Norte rivers.  Gilles Wendling, who accompanied Chernaik on the flyover of the mine, said that a tunnel that drains water, called a settling tunnel, found water contaminated with metals and other elements.  “The mine’s settling tunnel is filled with contaminated water. I have not been able to find any evidence that the water that flows through the tunnel is being treated,” he said.  Wendling has studied audit reports issued by the company and noted that there should be a non-company review on site.  The IUCN, which established a Technical Working Group on Mine Closure, called on government authorities to take action on the issue, because “monitoring and inspections cannot depend solely on information provided by the company,” they stated.