In the Country of Panama ‘Mining Offers Endless Opportunities’

The mining industry encompasses countless branches and professions in the countries where it operates, and Panama is no exception. Cobre Panamá has allowed thousands of Panamanians, who at the time lacked the necessary training to undertake a project of such magnitude, to grow personally and professionally, reaching positions they never imagined possible. This is the case of Katherine Márquez, a young woman with 10 years of experience in the industry who never thought she would become a supervisor of construction and mining projects, as her initial training focused on forensic investigation. She mentioned that she is a living example that to rise in life, you need desire and support, because if you have the willingness, you can always learn something new. 

“The mine offers countless positions in all aspects. I studied a profession and fell in love with it, exploring something I wouldn’t trade for anything today. It’s been an industry that has opened up so many avenues for me,” he said in a news interview.  Márquez began working in the field, specifically in the construction area, where she gradually gained experience and specialized until she became a group leader and project supervisor, a position that allows her to contribute to the integration of more women into the workforce through the Cobre Emprende program, which was born from the “abrupt” cessation of the copper mine and whose objective is to reduce unemployment rates by providing people with the necessary tools to undertake the right way, reducing the risk of losses through mentoring, training, financial sponsorship and ongoing support.

She emphasized that, to date, more than 600 people have benefited from this program, which will soon begin its second phase. This program will provide 60 entrepreneurs with a solid business plan and $5,000 in seed capital so they can begin generating their own income.  She noted that since the initiative began, they have not lost contact with the beneficiaries to ensure the profitability of their projects and opportunities for improvement. That is, they remain abreast of their development, ensuring that the training translates into concrete and tangible results for the entrepreneurs, most of whom are women. This demonstrates their ability to adapt to changes and fulfill any type of role they choose. 

A transformation that, in her opinion, has been brought about by the mining industry, as it accommodates women without distinction, allowing them to demonstrate that they are just as capable as men.  “The mine has empowered us tremendously because it offers countless opportunities for women; it just requires us to be determined, capable, and courageous to be able to take on any position,” she said.  In parallel to this program, another program called Cobre Conecta is being developed, which seeks to bring mining activity closer to the public so they can clarify their doubts and verify that the industry is environmentally and socially sustainable.

600 People have already benefited from this program.  The company will provide $5000 seed capital to entrepreneurs in the second phase of the project, which will begin soon.