Panama miners push for restart of First Quantum's copper operation
2020-06-29 08:41:27 [Print]
Panama's chamber of mines (Camipa) is urging the government to allow First Quantum Minerals to resume operations at its Cobre Panama mine, one of the few large copper operations to have come online over the past two years.
In April, the Canadian miner had to idle the $6.5 billion mine, which is also the biggest single private sector investment in Panama's history, due to the rapid spread of covid-19.
First Quantum's local subsidiary, Minera Panama, recently declared the mine coronavirus-free. "All 196 workers who tested positive for covid-19 have now recovered and been allowed home," spokesman Manuel Aizpurua Rojas said in a statement. "The company has implemented all health protocols set out by the ministry of health and we have requested a restart of operations," he added.
First Quantum said that the mine suspension is costing the company between $4 million and $6 million per week. The figure includes labor contracts as well as other variable and fixed costs that remain suspended.
Panama eased restrictions related to covid-19 on June 1, switching from a total lockdown to a night curfew. It also began reopening the economy, allowing non-metals mining operations to restart, as well as public-sector construction.
Camipa asked the government to speed up the process that would allow Cobre Panama copper mine to resume full operations gradually.
In April, the Canadian miner had to idle the $6.5 billion mine, which is also the biggest single private sector investment in Panama's history, due to the rapid spread of covid-19.
First Quantum's local subsidiary, Minera Panama, recently declared the mine coronavirus-free. "All 196 workers who tested positive for covid-19 have now recovered and been allowed home," spokesman Manuel Aizpurua Rojas said in a statement. "The company has implemented all health protocols set out by the ministry of health and we have requested a restart of operations," he added.
First Quantum said that the mine suspension is costing the company between $4 million and $6 million per week. The figure includes labor contracts as well as other variable and fixed costs that remain suspended.
Panama eased restrictions related to covid-19 on June 1, switching from a total lockdown to a night curfew. It also began reopening the economy, allowing non-metals mining operations to restart, as well as public-sector construction.
Camipa asked the government to speed up the process that would allow Cobre Panama copper mine to resume full operations gradually.
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