First Quantum calls on Panama to prevent violence at closed mine

Bloomberg News | January 5, 2024 | 11:10 am Top Companies Latin America Mexico and Central America Copper 
Protests cast doubt on approval of First Quantum’s contract in Panama
Cobre Panama mine began producing and shipping copper concentrates in June 2019. (Image courtesy of Cobre Panama.)

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. called on security forces to prevent unrest at its shuttered copper mine in Panama as protesters plan to demonstrate near the site.

The Canadian company urged local authorities to secure the area and “prevent any violent or illegal action,” according to a statement on a local website for its Cobre Panama copper mine. The company said it had “deep concern” about the protest planned for Jan. 9 by a union representing construction workers.

The Suntracs construction union — which played a leading role in protests that led to the mine’s closure late last year — is planning a march at the mine site, where First Quantum still has some workers and installations. The timing of the protest coincides with Martyrs’ Day, which commemorates anti-US riots in 1964 over sovereignty of the Panama Canal. That’s after the mine’s contract extension became the subject of nationalistic sentiment.

Utramipa, the main union representing mine workers, condemned Suntracs’ plans and is requesting authorities to take action to prevent harm to remaining staff at the site, spokesman Michael Camacho said by phone Friday.

The Suntracs union didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

(By Jacob Lorinc and James Attwood)

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  • Mr. Miguel Eduardo Magallon

    Just to let you know, SUNTRACS is the construction workers union, a leftist union which has its own political agenda in Panama. They have tried to run in the presidential elections twice already, and both times they did not get more than 1% of the popular vote. This time they are running as independents, and my projection is that they will finish last with the same result of less than 1% of the popular vote. They have gained momentum in the MPSA problem, because this government allowed them and the other leftist to block the interamerican highway. But this problem just backfired on them and the population now hates them even more. I project that this problem will take another course with the new government to be elected in May 2024.

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