Unyielding Protests Strain Maritime Logistics
A supply vessel belonging to First Quantum, a Canadian mining firm, found itself helplessly marooned at sea as local demonstrators blocked passage to an essential port in Panama. The company shared this distressing news with Reuters in an official statement last Friday. The issue under contention, inciting public uproar in the recent weeks, is the mining agreement concerning Minera Panama. This is First Quantum’s local subsidiary, responsible for a noteworthy copper mine in the region.
The vessel in question has been stranded in the Panamanian waters for a substantial amount of time. The protests have blocked its access to the Punta Rincon port. Despite the vessel’s critical need to dock, attempts made on Thursday were hindered, forcing the captain to reach out to the relevant authorities.
Disruption of Essential Deliveries
First Quantum emphasized the undue consequences of these unlawful activities enacted by protesters in small boats barricading the Punta Rincon port. The blockade has gravely impacted the delivery of vital supplies needed for Minera Panama to continue its operations, specifically energy production.
The company provided an assurance of the ship’s adherence to all global safety regulations and reemphasized the safety of its onboard crew. The craft, identified by Panama’s National Aeronaval Service as “CSL Tarantau”, predominantly carries coal.
An Attempted Emergency Docking Thwarted
An attempt to dock the “CSL Tarantau” was made in an emergency bid on Thursday. The captain, however, found himself forced to abort this effort, aiming to avert any potential accidents. Details surrounding this emergency were not made available by Senan.
Impact on Mining and Economy
Further, First Quantum disclosed that the protests barring access to the port have led to a decline in ore processing at the Cobre Panama mine. This marks the first indication of the mine’s production facing jeopardy due to the public backlash.
Moreover, as the protests continue, the company’s local subsidiary, Minera Panama’s union, has conceded to terms that assure payment to workers, even as some were unable to get to work.
Protests Rooted in Discontent over New Contract
The outrage originally sparked when the Panamanian government and First Quantum mutually agreed upon a new contract on October 20, pertaining to the Cobre Panama mine. This significant operation contributes 1% to global copper production and a substantial 5% to Panama’s GDP.
Demonstrators argue that the latest agreement heavily favors First Quantum, further adding fuel to the fire are widespread accusations of corruption involving the contract’s approval.
