A new opportunity, a miner’s hope

Professionals dedicated to mining do not lose hope that the perception of this economic activity in Panama will change.

Carlos Barrantes, from the environmental team and member of the Cobra Panamá Conservation and Safe Management Plan, emphasized that Responsible mining makes an important contribution to the economy.

“I hope that people who are against us can learn the reality and be participants in this activity, which is absolutely necessary,” he said.

According to Barrantes, environmentalists were invited to familiarize themselves with the reality of the project, but they refused to visit the site.

“This wave of rejection that has occurred is just killing the economy,” he said.

Barrantes states that they are the first line of environmental defense and the first to take care of the country’s resources.

After the contract between Minera Panamá and the state was declared unconstitutional, more than 5,000 people were fired from their jobs.

Most of the workforce Panamanian copper He is less than 35 years old. An important part now belongs to the informal sector.

“The closure of the mine represents fewer educational opportunities and threatens the future of many young people,” said Olvenis Morales.

A few days ago, community leaders demanded answers from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MICI) and Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) due to the prevailing uncertainty.

They claim that Cobre Panama was a small country that This solved the problems of the cities surrounding the project.

Additionally, this week First Quantum’s chief executive, Tristan Pascall, pointed out that the next government cannot ignore the contribution of mining.

Although he notices a slight change in mood compared to the demonstrations in November, he emphasized that he respects the decision of the people.