Various demonstrations of opposition in front of the facilities of the Ministry of the Environment (Miambiente) and in this area led to the Ministry clarifying in a statement that all processes on this project are still suspended.
Previously, Miambiente endorsed the Category III Environmental Impact Study that will enable gold mining at Cerro Quema. It was also revealed that the Department of Commerce and Industry, along with the Inter-American Development Bank, is conducting a process to review, evaluate and update Code of Mineral Resources reforms.
For its part, the Santeño front against mining warned of the damage it would do to nature in the Azuero region, which is struggling with serious problems of deforestation, destruction of mangroves and pollution of waterways, which the Impaired quality of life in this region. Population.
“Yes to life, no to mining.” With this shout, the demonstrators partially blocked the road at the level of the overpass in front of the Los Santos Regional University Center in Las Tablas for an hour.
Sociologist Milciades Pinzón told the press that it was “unacceptable” to try to reactivate this project, arguing that there were others who would allow the flora and fauna to be saved, reactivate the economy and understand that mining is not a solution.
For her part, the activist María del Pilar Rivera called on the population and residents of other provinces to support these demands.
On May 25th, Miambiente gave the green light to the decision approving the environmental study of the project of which Minera Cerro Quema, SA is the promoter
It is an open pit mine using front end loaders and trucks to transport the material, with a 10,000 tonne per day leaching or processing facility.
The Cerro Quema gold mining operation is planned to be developed over an area of 480 hectares between Macaracas and Tonosí districts.
“The adoption of this document comes in the midst of the national environmental crisis, at a time when the country finds itself in a political election situation, is shocked by the trial of former rulers and is additionally feeling the consequences of climate change.” the El Niño phenomenon,” the text says.
For the organization, the moment is propitious for the government, since such problems divert the attention of Panamanians from other issues, as in the case of Cerro Quema.
The Environmental Advocacy Center also opposed the project, which will mine gold with cyanide and endanger the site’s agricultural and livestock production.
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