The priority is to define what to do with the copper deposits in the mine

While a plan is drawn up for the final closure of the Petaquilla mine, Cobre Panamá must assume responsibility for the project’s environmental and safety management.

On Tuesday afternoon, the company submitted its plan to Department of Trade and Industry authorities, who will review it for comments, if necessary, in the coming weeks.

Minister Jorge Rivera’s staff explained that the plan submitted by the mining company contains the type of supplies they need to preserve the mine, the number of personnel needed and the frequency with which they will need supplies and equipment.

“So that the surrounding communities can see that this flow of personnel and equipment serves to maintain the physical and chemical stability of the mine and does not imply fractionation activities and commercial operations,” the owner said.

The Rivera headquarters assured that the priority for the Government at this moment is to define what will be done with the copper concentrate found in the mine deposits, the preservation of the environment of the pit or pit, as well as waste management. objects. Tailings.

These priorities are followed by water management, maintenance of equipment in processing plants and mills, so that they remain in the necessary conditions and do not deteriorate.

These are issues that are being analyzed from the legal side with the authorities of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in order to make a decision, the date of which is not yet known.

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The core part to close the copper mine is still being analyzed.
Currently, Cobre Panamá must remain in the mining project to preserve the environment, admitted the Minister of Trade and Industry.
How long the mining company will stay in the country is a question that is also being analyzed by the authorities.
In the panel of experts that will be formed, the participation of Senacyt was requested, as well as the cooperation of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.

The Minister of Trade and Industry assured that, on the other hand, audits are being prepared, the formation of an expert committee, which could be ready in February, and civil oversight in order to move towards the final closure plan.

He added that audits will define the cost of closing the mine, and for this purpose, the cooperation and advice of friendly governments with experience in mining issues was requested, so that they could recommend companies with expertise in this branch.

Who will pay for the closure of the mine is another issue that is being studied, because under normal conditions it is financed by part of the company’s income, which is a circumstance that does not enter into this case, said the minister.

Fuel

After a citizen’s complaint about a ship that arrived at the port of Punta Rincón last week, Jorge Rivera reported that he wanted to supply Cobre Panamá with fuel and that he was not taking any minerals from the mine.

“It was needed for internal mine vehicles and pumps to remove water from some tanks,” he explained.