Preliminary Report on the Cobre Panamá Mine - ELAW Dic 9 2024  

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The preliminary report presented by the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) on December 9, 2024, reveals critical findings regarding the high risk of failure of the north dam in the tailings management facility (TMF) of the Cobre Panamá mining project. Experts warn that the risk of internal erosion ("piping"), combined with inadequate monitoring, poses a serious and imminent threat to public safety and the environment.

ELAW's analysis was based on the Ninth Monitoring Report submitted by Minera Panamá in September 2024, along with other documents provided by the Ministry of the Environment after the experts' visit in November. The most significant findings include:

High risk of internal erosion: An external contractor warned in May 2024 of the critical risk of internal erosion in the north dam, requiring urgent attention, especially given the high rainfall in the Donoso region.

Lack of operational inclinometers: Inclinometers, which are essential for monitoring dam stability, were not operational in February 2024, and only two out of five were functional by May. This constitutes a violation of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, which is mandatory under the Environmental Impact Assessment approval of 2011.

Fragmented and insufficient monitoring: Information presented in the mining company’s reports is inconsistent and fragmented, hindering transparency and responsible decision-making.

Non-compliance with international and national standards: The failure to adhere to environmental monitoring and management protocols constitutes a violation of Panamanian laws and international standards.