Legislators Exclude Mining Restriction From Environmental Law

Panama's National Assembly approved on first reading Bill 415 which is related to the special protection of water, environmental and mineral resources in Cerro Colorado, with the omission of Article 5, which would have eliminated existing mining concessions and forced the companies operating there to suspend work.

Cerro Colorado is located in the Ngäbe Bugle county, and is considered one of the largest deposits in Latin America. "This copper deposit has 1.4 billion metric tons, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (ICIM). In addition, 25 applications were approved for exploration of gold and other minerals in this region," reported Prensa.com.

In order to become law, the bill must still be approved in a second and third debate.

Source: Prensa.com

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Panama: Amendments to Mining Code Approved

February 2011

The Panamanian National Assembly approved bill number 277 which amends the Mineral Resources Code.

The proposal, which was approved in first and second debate, was adopted with 42 votes in favor, 15 against and no abstentions and it adjusts fees and royalties to be paid for mineral concessions, which will increase to 5%.

Debate Over Panamanian Mining Code Reform

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The Commerce Commission of the National Assembly has begun discussing Bill No.394, which restores repealed articles in the Mineral Resources Code.

A press release from the Panamanian National Assembly reads:

The Commerce Commission began discussing Bill No. 394, which restores repealed articles in the Mineral Resources Code, Act 109 of 1973 and Act 55 of 1973, which, taken together, regulate the exploration and exploitation of metallic and non-metallic minerals.

Natural Resources Law Unanimously Approved

March 2012

Panama's National Assembly have given final approval to law 415 which prohibits mining and protects water and environmental resources in the Ngäbe Bugle region.

A statement by the National Assembly of Panama reads:

By executive sanction Bill 415 amends the Mining Code.

Indians have rights to natural resources in Ngäbe – Bugle Region.

Mining Bill to Void 25 Exploration Applications

November 2011

Should the draft legislation under discussion in the Assembly of Panama be approved, 25 applications for mining exploration in the Ngäbe Bugle region would be made void.

The bill would see the prohibition of granting concessions for the exploration and exploitation of metallic and nonmetallic minerals in Ngäbe Bugle. Only those extractions that benefit the region would be authorized.