Panamanian commission to propose Donoso mine future before December

Panama's government is actively analyzing the future of the Donoso copper mine, with a ministerial commission set to deliver its recommendations to President José Raúl Mulino before December. The commission, comprising the ministers of Commerce and Industries, Economy and Finance, and Environment, is meticulously crafting its proposals. "We are working on this to provide the president with our proposals based on data, based on the audit, on supported technical information, not on opinions," stated Minister Julio Moltó.

The commission's work stems from an integral audit of the mine, following an initial secure management plan to protect the surrounding environment. Minister Moltó emphasized the technical rigor of their analysis, addressing concerns from environmental groups who deem the audit invalid and advocate for the project's closure. "We have conducted analyses, we have put our teams to work on an audit with a technical basis, not based on opinions, only working with hard information," Moltó asserted.

While the commission's final recommendation remains undisclosed, and the ultimate decision rests with the president, the processing of existing materials at the mine has already had a tangible economic impact. Moltó reported that this activity has reactivated around 3,100 jobs, not including indirect employment. This resurgence has also revitalized local businesses, such as food suppliers and specialized workshops, demonstrating the mine's broader economic influence on nearby communities.