View of the Cobre Panama mine, of Canadian First Quantum Minerals, in Donoso, Panama, December 6, 2022.
This move would effectively suspend production at the Cobre Panama mine until coal supplies resume as the mine cannot operate without power, one of the sources said.
Protests have escalated since the government and First Quantum signed a new contract on Oct. 20 for Cobre Panama, which contributes 1% to global copper production and 5% to Panama's gross domestic product.
"The focus will be to maintain the tailings pond 24/7," one of the sources said about the maintenance.
Panama's top court will hear the legality of the contract awarded to First Quantum from Nov, 24, the company said in the statement.
Persons:
Divya Rajagopal, Julian Luk, Denny Thomas, Chizu, Marguerita Choy
Organizations:
Minerals, REUTERS, Aris, Rights, Cobre, Reuters, First, Thomson
Locations:
Panama, Donoso, Rights TORONTO, LONDON, Cobre Panama, Toronto, London