Panama President Sees No Immediate Risk from First Quantum Mine

Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino said a government report shows there are no immediate environmental or safety risks from Cobre Panama, the First Quantum Minerals Ltd. copper mine that was shut in 2023.

Mulino cited a recent report conducted by the environment ministry, which examined minerals and other materials stored at the site. Mulino said the government will start to study a “conservation plan” for the mine in January.

“Right now, there is no irreversible contamination,” Mulino said Thursday. “Even though it doesn’t represent an imminent risk for the country at the moment, we can’t leave it abandoned perpetually so ...