The Hiring Process Projecting 1000 Direct Jobs is Moving Forward by Cobre Panamá
Cobre Panamá continues to advance in its process of incorporating personnel as part of the activities contemplated in the Preservation and Safe Management Plan, with the objective of carrying out maintenance work and responsible handling of the previously extracted material. Currently, the company is in the onboarding phase (induction and hiring), a process that unfolds gradually and involves the addition of approximately 100 people per week until all new vacancies are filled. These sessions are held at the Universidad Latina de Panamá, Penonomé campus, and include preliminary screenings, prioritizing residents of nearby communities, as well as technical assessments and mandatory safety training before employees begin their work.
As of April 20, 2026, 1,332 people have been hired through this process, 746 of whom are from neighboring communities. Of the total, 83% are men and 17% are women, reflecting the job opportunities being created in the interior of the country. By province, Coclé stands out with 639 people hired, followed by Colón with 339. Recently, a new phase within the Stockpile Preservation and Safe Management Plan was approved, which will allow for the processing of previously extracted material, estimated at approximately 38 million tons, before the cessation of operations in 2023. This measure does not involve new extraction activities, but rather the technical, safe, and orderly management of the existing material. For those already involved in this process, it represents a real opportunity.
“Those were very difficult times. I was unemployed, in debt, and trying to support my family however I could. Today, thanks to this opportunity, I’m back working doing what I know how to do, and that means everything to me. I hope more Panamanians can have this same opportunity,” commented Charlie Hidalgo, a Panamanian plumber and one of the recently hired employees. As a result of this approval, the generation of 1,000 additional direct jobs is projected, as well as more than 3,000 indirect jobs through local and national suppliers, contributing to the revitalization of the economy in different regions of the country.
Interest in taking advantage of these opportunities has been significant. Through the “Add Your Talent” initiative, more than 60,000 people have applied for available positions, which can be viewed and managed through the company’s official website. “I am focused on ensuring that my district retains projects with real impact for our communities, which currently face many needs. Through the mining project, we have established a strategic alliance to boost the district’s development. I firmly believe that everything must move forward positively, and we are already seeing many things begin to shift in that direction.
Today, we even have 200 people from our district working on the mining project,” highlighted Ina Castañeda, the mayor of La Pintada. For her part, Maru Gálvez, Public Relations Manager for Cobre Panamá, highlighted the impact of the process: “This progress reflects real opportunities for Panamanians, especially in nearby communities. With the recent approval, employment is not just a projection; it is already happening, as we continue to contribute responsibly to local development.” Cobre Panamá thus maintains its focus on job creation and the development of local talent, advancing its activities under technical and safety standards, while opening up new opportunities for hundreds of Panamanians.
