LatinNews Regional Monitor: Caribbean & Central America - 18 June 2019

* Minera Panamá, the local subsidiary of Canada’s First Quantum Minerals Ltd, has begun its first exports of copper, according to Panama's outgoing president, Juan Carlos Varela. Minera Panamá operates Cobre Panama, the largest foreign investment project (over US$6bn) in Panama, located in the Donoso district of Colón province. Varela’s announcement comes despite legal and political controversy surrounding the mine, including a supreme court (CSJ) ruling last year in favour of a local environmental NGO, Centro de Incidencia Ambiental (Ciam). On 5 June, Minera Panamá released a statement affirming that the company has “always fully complied” with both the law and international transparency and responsibility regulations. The company added that it looks forward to sharing all relevant documents with President-elect Laurentino Cortizo, who requested a review of the mine's contract so that the company may continue operating without legal uncertainty.

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