MiningTrade

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.

EnergyManufacturing

South Africa Poised to Become Global VRFB Manufacturing Hub, Study Finds

The Localisation Support Fund reports South Africa’s high-grade vanadium resources could establish the country as a key player in the growing vanadium redox flow battery market. With global VRFB capacity projected to increase from 4 GWh to 40 GWh by 2030, analysts suggest the timing is critical for investment in local manufacturing capabilities.

South Africa’s Vanadium Advantage

According to reports from the Localisation Support Fund (LSF), South Africa possesses significant potential to develop a commercial vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) value chain. The assessment comes after the LSF commissioned energy consultancy Customised Energy Solutions to evaluate the country’s competitive positioning in the emerging energy storage technology sector.