https://newsletter.mw.creamermedia.com
blasting|Copper|Financial|Environmental|Drilling
blasting|Copper|Financial|Environmental|Drilling
blasting|copper|financial|environmental|drilling

First Quantum backs Panama's plan to allow stockpile processing at shut copper mine

16th January 2026

By: Reuters

  

Font size: - +

Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals on Thursday welcomed Panama President Jose Raul Mulino's plan, announced early this month, to allow the removal and processing of stockpiled ore at its shuttered Cobre Panama copper mine.

The company said processing of the ore stockpiles will allow it to mitigate the environmental and operational risks associated with acid rock drainage and ensure a supply of feed material to the leftover, or tailings, management facility.

First Quantum is awaiting formal approvals to carry out these activities in coordination with the Panama government.

The Cobre Panama mine, one of the world's largest open-pit copper deposits, was closed in 2023 following protests from local residents over tax contributions and environmental impacts.

The processing of stockpiles does not constitute reopening the mine, and will not require any new extraction, drilling or blasting, the company said in a statement.

The mine formerly provided 1% of the global copper supply, and its closure has had an impact on both Panama's and First Quantum's financial prospects.

Earlier on Thursday, Mulino said the government aims to make a decision on the future of the copper mine by June.

Edited by Reuters

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)

CMTS is a leading, well-established EC&I contractor with 37+ years of mining and industrial experience. We execute full-scope EC&I projects with...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Vikela Aluvin (Pty) Ltd
Vikela Aluvin (Pty) Ltd

Complete range of security sealing solutions including security seals bags and labels.

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.256 0.346s - 130pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now