Panama Divided Over Future of Cobre Panamá Mine Amid Environmental and Economic Concerns
A recent nationwide survey in Panama has revealed strong divisions among the population regarding the potential reopening of First Quantum’s $6.5 billion Cobre Panamá copper mine, which has been closed for over a year following a presidential decree.
Commissioned by ARCA Media en Direct and conducted by research firm DOXA, the survey involved 1,600 face-to-face interviews across the country, including 400 participants from communities near the mine.
The results show a nation torn between concerns about environmental impacts and governance issues, and the mine’s vital economic role.
The closure of Cobre Panamá followed a Supreme Court ruling declaring the mine’s contract unconstitutional, leading then-President Laurentino Cortizo to order its shutdown.
The mine, which once contributed nearly 5% of Panama’s GDP and accounted for 75% of its exports, has left a significant economic void.
In mining-adjacent communities, a larger proportion of respondents support reopening the mine, either under government supervision (33%) or to facilitate an orderly closure (26%).
Nationally, 44% of respondents believe the mine should remain closed indefinitely, while 27% favor reopening it under strict government supervision, and 23% advocate for reopening only to ensure an orderly closure.
When survey participants were informed of the potential consequences of a prolonged closure — including the loss of $4 billion annually and 40,000 jobs — 52% of respondents nationwide expressed support for reopening.
However, in communities close to the mine, economic arguments seem less persuasive, with support remaining low among those generally opposed to reopening.
The survey also highlighted concerns about the impact of the mine’s closure on foreign direct investment (FDI). A majority of respondents, 57% nationally and 54% in nearby communities, believe that a prolonged shutdown would deter FDI.
Despite these concerns, there is widespread support for greater governmental oversight. Nationwide, 57% of respondents favor reviewing the contract with First Quantum, with this figure rising to 65% among those living near the mine.
President José Raúl Mulino’s administration enjoys relatively high trust, with 44% of respondents expressing confidence in his ability to resolve the crisis. This contrasts with lower confidence in the construction workers’ union (18%) and the chamber of commerce (15%).
As the government navigates its options, the survey underscores a critical challenge: balancing the economic benefits of reopening the mine with the social and environmental concerns of the population.
Any decision regarding the mine’s future will need to address both public opposition and the economic imperatives that many view as essential to Panama’s future.
