In a letter to the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the subsidiary of the Canadian transnational First Quantum indicated that there is an impending suspension due to the restriction on the loading of copper concentrate at the international port of Punta Rincón in the Caribbean province of Colon.
Minera Panamá reported that they tried to create additional storage space, but without the ability to load and ship the material, that ability to store the product was limited.
What is a means of pressure for some environmental and social organizations, the most recent ultimatum insists on the resumption of freight operations, taking into account compliance with the ban decision and the filing of appropriate legal remedies.
“If we are allowed to load the ship, the message said there would be storage capacity to continue operations for about 15 days while meetings are held with the government over a disputed but unsigned concession deal.
On the other hand, the AMP has not taken any decision on the resources presented by the company to lift the restriction on the operation of the port of Punta Rincón.
On February 13, Cobre Panamá submitted its latest report to AMP to demonstrate that the process of certifying the calibration of the scales by an accredited company has been initiated, but still without a response, the text states.
However, the public body said in its opinion that the indication of the suspension of port operations is in line with the purpose of enforcing the international agreements signed by the Central American country, the purpose of which is to protect human life at sea and prevent pollution disasters in the waters.
For her part, environmentalist Raisa Banfield is suing the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, to take action against the subsidiary of Canadian transnational First Quantum, which is violating the order issued since December last year to cease commercial operations.
People’s alliance spokesmen have called inappropriate any negotiations the executive branch is conducting with the mining company, whose concession agreement was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2017.
ode/ga