"Panama orders halt to new mining projects as street protests grow", 27 October 2023

...Panama will reject all new mining projects, the president said on Friday, as his government defends a controversial contract extending operations for two decades at a major copper mine that has sparked growing protests demanding its cancellation.

President Laurentino Cortizo announced that the new mining restrictions will apply to both future mining projects as well as those currently seeking permits...

The abrupt mining pause comes barely a week after Cortizo hailed the revised contract that allows the local unit of Canada's First Quantum to continue operating its lucrative Cobre Panama project.

The extended First Quantum concession for the sprawling open-pit mine guarantees state coffers at least $375 million annually while allowing it to operate for at least 20 more years, with the possibility of further extensions.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to criticize the deal, as well as the mine's environmental costs, and demand its withdrawal...

Also on Friday, Panama's top court agreed to consider a second lawsuit challenging the contract...