In a press conference, the Minister of Commerce and Industries (MICI), Julio Moltó, indicated that the purpose is to avoid environmental damage and also to give maintenance to the equipment present in the subsidiary of the Canadian transnational First Quantum.

“The only purpose is to protect the communities and preserve the country”, the official said.

He also explained that the plan has been updated with environmental and legal issues; and that officials from 10 institutions, including the Environment Ministry, will also participate in the process.

The plan will be executed by the Cobre Panamá company and will also be in charge of its financing.

Regarding the copper concentrate found in the area of the mine, he indicated that it has a layer that minimizes the environmental damage to the area.

He added that the Environment Ministry will also supervise the way to extract this stored material in a safe way, in order to export it later.

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