"Panama president asks voters to decide on contentious First Quantum mining contract", 30 October 2023

...President Laurentino Cortizo said on Sunday Panama would hold a referendum to decide whether to scrap a contract with Canadian miner First Quantum's local unit following days of protests by thousands of people opposed to the open pit copper mine project...

"I've respectfully listened to those who oppose the contract with Minera Panama," Cortizo said, using the name of First Quantum's local unit.

Neither First Quantum nor Minera Panama immediately responded to requests for comment.

Panama's government and the miner had agreed on a contract which would guarantee the Central American nation an annual income of $375 million while allowing First Quantum's local unit to operate the Cobre Panama project, an open-pit copper mine, for at least 20 years.

Protesters have criticized both the deal and the mine's environmental costs, even after Cortizo on Friday issued a decree rejecting all new mining projects.

Critics countered that the move would not affect the approved First Quantum contract...