Panama Authorizes Ore Removal at First Quantum's Cobre Panama Mine
Panama's government is set to authorize the extraction and processing of 38 million tonnes of stockpiled ore at First Quantum's Cobre Panama mine, which was closed in 2023. This resolution, expected by Tuesday, aims to generate approximately 70,000 tonnes of copper and create around 700 jobs while addressing environmental risks associated with long-term ore storage.

The Panamanian government plans to finalize a resolution allowing First Quantum to remove and process stockpiled ore from the Cobre Panama mine, which contains approximately 38 million metric tons of stockpiled material. This initiative could yield around 70,000 tonnes of copper, with processing anticipated to start three months after approval and spanning roughly one year.
The operation aims to create 700 direct jobs in addition to the existing workforce of 1,600. This effort follows a series of measures by President Jose Raul Mulino's administration to capitalize on the mine's potential, which previously accounted for about 1% of global copper supply. The government will determine the mine’s long-term future by June, highlighting economic implications for both First Quantum and Panama.




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