{"id":14413,"date":"2026-07-04T19:27:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T00:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=14413"},"modified":"2026-07-03T22:33:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T03:33:19","slug":"criminal-complaint-against-environment-ministry-over-cobre-mine-audit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/crime-safety\/criminal-complaint-against-environment-ministry-over-cobre-mine-audit\/","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Complaint Against Environment Ministry Over Cobre Mine Audit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A legal firestorm is brewing in Panama City. Attorney Roberto Ruiz D\u00edaz has filed a criminal complaint against<\/strong> the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) with the Office of the Attorney General, alleging officials deliberately sidestepped government orders. The dispute centers on how the ministry handled the audit of the massive Cobre Panama copper mine, which has been at the heart of national controversy since its operations were halted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruiz D\u00edaz argues that MiAmbiente overstepped its authority. He claims the ministry commissioned a comprehensive operational review instead of the specific closure audit mandated by the Cabinet Council. The Cobre Panama mine<\/strong> closure audit<\/a> has become a flashpoint in a broader debate about environmental protection, legal procedure, and the future of mining in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"copper
copper mine audit by MiAmbiente PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The attorney submitted his complaint under Article 81 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He wants prosecutors to investigate possible crimes including abuse of authority under Panama criminal code<\/a> and overstepping official functions. The case could set a major precedent for how government agencies follow cabinet directives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Cabinet Actually Ordered<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The story starts with Cabinet Resolution No. 19, issued on February 27, 2024. That document laid out the framework for implementing an orderly plan to permanently close the Cobre Panama mine<\/strong>. This followed the Supreme Court of Justice’s November 27, 2023 ruling that declared the mining concession unconstitutional. The court’s decision effectively killed the legal foundation for the mine’s operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article 3 of that resolution specifically instructed MiAmbiente to conduct an “Environmental Closure Audit.” The stated purpose was clear: identify the mine’s environmental condition, evaluate existing risks, and determine what mitigation measures were needed to execute a definitive shutdown. The Cabinet wanted a roadmap for demolition, dismantling, and permanent closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Ruiz D\u00edaz says the ministry went rogue. Instead of following those instructions, MiAmbiente hired SGS Panama Control Services Inc. to perform what he calls an “Integral Audit.” The attorney insists this type of audit was never authorized by the Cabinet resolution. He argues the ministry effectively changed the scope of the public contract and distorted the original purpose of the closure process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The resolution sought to establish a process of demolition, dismantling, and definitive closure of the mine,” Ruiz D\u00edaz stated in his complaint. “But the audit that was carried out evaluated aspects related to the operational continuity of the concession.” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Con la finalidad de que el Ministerio Publico @PGN_PANAMA<\/a> realice las investigaciones de rigor, se presento una denuncia contra @MiAmbientePma<\/a>, por la contratacion de la empresa SGS, para realizar una auditoria diferente (integral en vez de cierre) a la que fue ordenada por la\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WRwxXoV1wW<\/a><\/p>— ROBERTO RUIZ DIAZ (@R_RuizDiaz) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>