The Panamanian government is awaiting official confirmation from First Quantum Minerals Ltd. regarding the suspension of arbitrations stemming from the halt of the Cobre Panamá copper mine. While First Quantum announced an agreement to withdraw the arbitration, Panama's Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó, stated that the government has yet to receive formal confirmation.
Panama is conducting environmental and other audits of the mine. No decisions have been made about restarting mining operations, and the site remains inactive, with only environmental checks taking place.
President José Raúl Mulino has conditioned any dialogue with First Quantum on the suspension of all arbitrations against Panama. The arbitration hearings, initially scheduled for September 2025 and later postponed to January 2026, remain a key point of contention.