Panama has institutions such as ITSE, and imagining technical training programs in sustainable mining must be a real opportunity that prepares young people for these technical and future-oriented jobs. Spaces like the ones we have facilitated are what is needed. Panama only moves forward if we listen to each other. That was the Forum on "Sustainable Employment: Synergy between Mining, Environment, and Social Development": a space to look at the big picture, understand what is at stake, and think with maturity. A necessary dialogue for Panama's future The Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama posits the urgent reopening of Minera Panama as an alternative to the unemployment problem and to close social gaps. The president of the guild, Juan Alberto Arias, in his Sunday message referred to the recently held forum on "Sustainable Employment: Synergy between Mining, Environment, and Social Development," which had a simple but powerful purpose: to create a space to evaluate what is most beneficial for Panama. To sit down, listen, learn, and together understand the challenges we face regarding the Panamá Copper Mine Project. Almost two years ago, when the mining project was shut down, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama organized the first forum on the subject. Many companies had to reduce their staff; some even closed. But alongside that, one fundamental thing became clear: the environment must always be cared for. The business leader states that modern mining uses cutting-edge technology, safer systems, and strict controls. Neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, and Chile have demonstrated that sustainable mining exists and can coexist with tourism, agriculture, and local economies. Another key point of the forum was the relationship between mining and technology. Before the paralysis, that stability and those opportunities existed in the project, and this moved commerce, local businesses, and entire communities. Additionally, the forum repeatedly discussed development, closing social gaps, and boosting growth not only in the areas near the project but throughout the country. Local purchases were also discussed, which supported small and medium-sized businesses that are now facing difficulties. On this occasion, after listening again to experts, businesspeople, and community leaders, that word was left behind; the word that was most repeated during last Wednesday's forum was "employment," and that says a lot about the country's priorities and possibilities. Arias states that Panama is facing a reality: unemployment hovers around 10%, which means more than 200,000 Panamanians are looking for work, and informality exceeds 700,000 people. Today, mining is not what it was decades ago; it is a sector full of innovation, automation, and new capabilities. Today, a comprehensive audit is being carried out, which reviews the social, tax, and environmental aspects. Because beyond different opinions, something unites us: we are all Panamanians and we all want the country to move forward. Precisely for that reason, it is so valuable that the current administration has worked with seriousness, acting in good faith, managing to suspend arbitration processes and maintaining the stability of the site while technical evaluations are carried out. That is the correct approach: to work based on data. The forum on November 12th made it clear that Panama has talent, natural resources, and the capacity to achieve a balance, which requires us to think about the common good: about the employment that families need, about the social development that reduces inequalities, and about caring for the environment that ensures the country's future. The article "Chamber of Commerce pushes for the resumption of Minera Panama operations" was first published in La Verdad Panamá. At that moment, many of us were left with the word "unprecedented" in our heads, what Panamanians had done was an abrupt and unprecedented closure of a mining project and not necessarily with a positive connotation. Blocking streets does not help anyone, quite the opposite. Our primary objective will always be to build, protect employment – which is our obsession – and avoid more informality. Those figures are not cold numbers; they are families that need stability and opportunities.
