While Harding is confident of restarting the country’s flagship mine, he said he understands there’s a battle for people’s hearts and minds in a country where mining is relatively new, the government is unpopular and misinformation is rife and effective. The firm sees the eight-hour tours — including the opportunity to speak with staff — as a way of rectifying past communications shortfalls at a time when scrutiny on environmental and social issues is growing. A virtual tour is also being prepared.
“We had a mine that worked for the people of Panama, so I’m confident that we will find a solution,” Harding said from Bloomberg’s Toronto offices.
First Quantum acknowledges it could have done a better job touting the mine’s role in generating jobs and revenue for Panama as well as its community and environmental initiatives. But the shutdown order was more a case of the mine being swept up in discontent toward the…
