The fate of the new contract between Mining of Panama and the situation will be known before the end of regular sessions in the National Assembly, deputy Roberto Ábrego, president of the Commission for Trade and Economic Affairs, pointed out this Tuesday.
According to Ábrego, there is time for this new agreement to be approved or rejected.
“I’m optimistic. Of course these are good times. This is perhaps the contract with the most consultations in history,” commented Ábrego.
This Tuesday, a note was signed calling the members of the commission Trade so that from 11:00 a.m Tomorrow, Wednesday, the first debate begins.
The methodology will be the one required by environmental regulations. Ábrego emphasized that the consultation period has already passed, so unlike a few weeks ago, outsiders will not intervene.
As for the sectors that refuse mining contractThe deputy clarified that it is about groups that do not want surface mining more than the contract as such.
“I am optimistic that the contract will be approved. This is the largest private investment project in the country,” said Ábrego.
On the other hand, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Federico Alfaro, reminded today that this contract is 10 times larger than the previous one and puts Panama in a position similar to that of countries like Chile and Peru in mining matters.
He added that certain doubts arose as a result of the consultation, which were addressed and presented in the project.
He specified that Minera Panamá will only be able to extract copper and its associated minerals and not others.
“The company can only extract copper and accompanying minerals within the concession area. The accompanying minerals are those that come within the copper concentrate. Within that concentrate there are other minerals such as molybdenum, gold and silver on a very small scale, for which we also have to pay,” he said. Alfaro told the television media.
He also made it clear that the mining operations do not affect the water supply. Panama Canal. In this regard, he explained that the Water Use Clause has been reformed to ensure that it does not interrupt the operation of the Canal and that the Panama Canal Authority’s constitutional title to water use is above the company.
***With information from Víctor Arosemena.
Source: Panama America
I am Jason Root, author with 24 Instant News. I specialize in the Economy section, and have been writing for this sector for the past three years. My work focuses on the latest economic developments around the world and how these developments impact businesses and people’s lives. I also write about current trends in economics, business strategies and investments.
