{"id":18259,"date":"2026-10-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18259"},"modified":"2026-10-23T16:06:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T21:06:15","slug":"minister-molto-its-nothing-serious-as-panama-copper-mine-landslide-triggers-water-safety-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/environment-wildlife\/minister-molto-its-nothing-serious-as-panama-copper-mine-landslide-triggers-water-safety-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Minister Molt\u00f3: “It’s Nothing Serious” as Panama Copper Mine Landslide Triggers Water Safety Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A landslide<\/a> at the Cobre Panam\u00e1 copper mine in Donoso<\/a> has triggered immediate technical inspections and water quality testing, but initial results suggest the incident is not severe, according to Commerce and Industries Minister<\/a> Julio Molt\u00f3. The minister made the remarks Friday during the World Coffee Panama event, confirming that teams from his ministry and the Environment Ministry<\/a> are conducting rigorous on-site evaluations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area has seen continuous intervention for more than two decades. Molt\u00f3 said preliminary water analyses indicate the situation “is nothing serious,” while stressing that precautions and constant monitoring will continue until definitive technical reports are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Panama
Molt\u00f3 said preliminary water analyses indicate the situation “is nothing serious,” while stressing that precautions and constant monitoring will continue until definitive technical reports are available. Panama mine monitoring Credit MiAmbiente<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Panama Copper Mine Incident Raises Oversight Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The landslide has reignited public skepticism about the government’s “open to close” strategy for the mining concession<\/a>. Civil society groups are demanding clearer timelines and concrete mitigation actions, questioning whether current inspections represent a genuine closure plan or reflect ambiguity in how officials are managing the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This uncertainty follows the September 30, 2026 submission of the Interministerial Commission’s final report to the executive branch. The commission, comprising the ministries of Economy and Finance, Environment, and Commerce and Industries, delivered 17 recommendations aimed at protecting national interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ministro
The Commerce and Industries Minister<\/a> Julio Molt\u00f3 made the remarks Friday during the World Coffee Panama event. Ministro de comercio e industrias Julio Molto. By MICI.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Environmental Safeguards and Legal Aftermath<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The recommendations address permanent environmental preservation under ongoing supervision, analysis of commitments tied to the Environmental Impact Study, and pursuit of sustainable financial and legal solutions. These efforts stem from the 2023 constitutional court ruling that invalidated the original mining contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Donoso concession has operated under heightened scrutiny since that landmark decision. The current landslide adds another layer of concern for communities and advocacy groups monitoring water quality and land stability in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por TVN Noticias (@tvnnoticias)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n