The Panamanian government is conducting a comprehensive audit of the Cobre Panamá copper mine. The audit team will conduct site visits and consultations with the operating company. The results of the audit may reveal compliance or non-compliance issues or other aspects of interest within the project's monitoring framework.
Juan Miguel Jaén, head of the Department of Environmental Quality Control and Verification, explained that during this phase, inspections will be carried out in the operational zone to assess the management of the Cobre Panamá company. The role of the Ministry of Environment is to support the auditing firm, ensuring all required information is available. However, the firm must also adhere to terms of reference, such as submitting monthly reports.
An initial inspection of the project has already been completed, with further visits planned. The number of inspections will depend on the information gathered by the auditors; if they deem it necessary to increase the number, it will be done. During these visits, the audit team will speak with mine workers to collect data, which will then be verified through on-site inspections. The verification results are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Meanwhile, mining operations remain suspended, as established by the Supreme Court ruling approximately two years ago, with the exception of activities under the Preservation and Safe Management Plan, which aims to protect the environment and surrounding areas.
