First Quantum Seeks to Lay Off 4,000 Workers at Panama Mine

First Quantum Minerals says it requested authorization from Panama’s labor ministry to lay off more than 4,000 employees in the country after the government announced plans to close its copper mine.

• First Quantum’s Panama unit requested permission to terminate contracts of more than 4,000 employees “for justified economic reasons”
  • “This measure will be developed in parallel to the voluntary retirement program presented by the company on Dec. 3 with the help of the UTRAMIPA union”: statement
  • Mine has a total 7,000 workers
• Some staff will remain on site to “maintain the safety of the facilities and avoid environmental losses or ...