Panama Demands Resource Ownership Rights in Cobre Copper Mine Negotiations
Panama’s government is preparing to negotiate the reopening of the $10 billion Cobre Panama copper mine with firm demands for resource ownership. The country’s finance chief stated any agreement must clearly establish Panama as the owner of both land and mineral resources. The mine has been shuttered since late 2023 following court rulings and environmental protests.
Panama Takes Firm Stance in Critical Mining Negotiations
Panama will insist that any agreement to restart operations at the $10 billion Cobre Panama copper mine explicitly recognizes the country’s ownership of both land and mineral resources, according to reports from the nation’s finance leadership. This position establishes a significant benchmark for upcoming negotiations with mine operator First Quantum Minerals Ltd, as the new administration under President Jose Raul Mulino seeks to resolve the high-stakes mining dispute that has gripped the Central American nation.