Panama President Mulino Strengthens Control Regarding Copper and Calms the Waters with Minera Panamá

President José Raúl Mulino considered Cobre Panamá’s recent statements regarding its willingness to engage in dialogue and the possibility of the State assuming ownership of the copper a positive step, describing this gesture as recognition of national sovereignty over natural resources.

“It is a great step forward that they recognize that this belongs sovereignly to the Republic of Panama, and that any credits received will become part of the Panamanian nation’s patrimony,” the president said during his weekly press conference. 

Mulino explained that the company is currently in a process of partial reactivation of the mine for maintenance purposes, which has led to the holding of the so-called “job fairs”, authorized by the National Government.

“These jobs that are being recruited are for the maintenance of the mine, and they are duly authorized by Panama,” he clarified. 

The president also noted that the level of tension with the First Quantum company has decreased, highlighting that the dialogue is progressing and that the Ministry of Environment has already begun the corresponding environmental audit of the project.

“The Minister of the Environment, Carlos Navarro, informed me that the environmental auditor has already begun his work. That represents an important additional step,” he stated. 

Mulino insisted that the mining issue “is complex from every point of view” and that any official decision will be communicated to the country with total transparency when the time comes.  “For now, things are moving forward,” the president pointed out, reiterating that his administration maintains a firm stance in defense of national interests, without closing the door to dialogue with the company.