Panama’s Ministry of Environment has published the third monthly progress report for its comprehensive audit of the Cobre Panama mine. The document covers work conducted between December 8, 2025, and January 9, 2026, as the government continues its detailed review of the mining operation’s compliance with environmental commitments.
The audit is being executed by SGS Panama Control Services Inc. under the direct supervision of the ministry, known as MiAmbiente. This phase represents the ongoing multidisciplinary integration of the audit process, which follows specific terms of reference established by the environmental authority.
Audit Progress on Document Review and Field Inspections
During the reporting period, auditors advanced work in three fundamental areas. They conducted a document review of information submitted by interested parties. Teams also performed field inspections to gather on-site data directly. A third focus involved a comprehensive systemic analysis, contrasting submitted documentation with evidence collected from the terrain.
This methodological approach allows officials to verify the project’s performance. It directly supports MiAmbiente’s decision-making, particularly in identifying and evaluating future environmental assets and liabilities. The process incorporates analysis of applicable legal, labor, and tax aspects at both national and international levels.
“The audit is based on verifying compliance with the 370 environmental commitments established in the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment,” the ministry stated. [Translated from Spanish]
The entire audit scrutinizes the mine’s adherence to its approved Environmental Impact Assessment. For this progress report, auditors developed progressive technical evaluation processes against those EIA commitments, the audit’s terms of reference tables, and the components of the mining process under review.
Preliminary Findings and Next Steps
MiAmbiente emphasized that this remains a progress report. Preliminary results regarding the level of compliance have already been generated, however. The work is simultaneously consolidating the structure of the final audit report, strengthening methodological traceability and technical robustness.
This third report follows two previously published monthly updates. The Ministry of Environment (Panama) maintains public access to all progress reports for the comprehensive audit of the Cobre Panama mine. Citizens can consult the latest document directly through the institution’s official portal.
The ongoing audit of the cobre panam operation represents a significant governmental oversight initiative. Its findings will inform future regulatory actions and the management of the mina cobre panam site. The process continues to move forward with scheduled field work and document analysis.