Panama Blocks Public Visits to Cobre Panama Mine Amid Audit Plans

The Panamanian Ministry of Commerce and Industry has prohibited public visits to the Cobre Panama mine, managed by First Quantum. The mine, a significant global copper source before its closure, is under government audit due to an environmental dispute. Public visits may compromise the audit's impartiality.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Panama has declared that public visits to the shuttered Cobre Panama mine have not been authorized. The statement highlights that any entries to the site by third parties have been orchestrated solely by First Quantum, the company managing the mine, without official government approval.

Minister Julio Molto shared the government's statement on social media platform X, explaining that Panama is currently engaging a comprehensive audit to objectively assess the mine's current operations and their environmental impact. The measure aims to ensure a thorough, unbiased evaluation process.

The announcement follows First Quantum's recent initiative to open the site for public tours, which the Panamanian government fears could jeopardize the neutrality of the audit results concerning the mine and its copper concentrate supplies. Previously, the Cobre Panama site contributed to 1% of global copper output before its cessation in 2023 due to an ongoing environmental dispute.

(With inputs from agencies.)