The president of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, announced the repeal of the Mining Code reforms. This resulted from numerous protests and demonstrations against the reformation. The president denied to have links with the mining companies.
Martinelli said his main goal as president is to “ensure the preservation of public order and to maintain a climate of peace and peaceful coexistence of all Panamanian people”.
In addition, the president added that “the Panamanians do not understand what mining actually is and therefore the government will repeal the law’’. He concluded that in this way there is presented “a project that repealing all parts of the reform of the mining rule. ”
He accused the radical groups who prey on indigenous mobilizations against the sanction reform.
Changes to the Mining Code provides that foreign states can exploit mines in Panama.
It imposes a payment of only 5% royalty on production of copper, gold and silver. The change is an increase compared to the 2 % of the settings by the previous mining code.
Another requirement of the indigenous communities is a compliance with the Convention 169 of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
In here there has been stated that the United States must consult and inform indigenous people before affect their territory.
Meanwhile, Martinelli said he does not have any sort of link or relationship with the mining companies.
Story courtesy of Agencia Púlsar, the news agency of AMARC-ALC.
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