W5 visited Panama as mass protests raged against a Canadian mine that has now been ordered to close.
The massive copper mine, known as Cobre Panama, has been the target of widespread demonstrations since October, when the Panamanian government signed a deal allowing it to operate for at least 20 more years.
“The Canadian government presents itself as very environmentally conscious,” environmental biologist Guido Berguido told W5 at a protest. “We cannot believe a Canadian company would do this to our national resources.”
The sprawling, 13,000-hectare open-pit mine is owned by a subsidiary of Canada's First Quantum Minerals and is located about 120 kilometers west of the capital Panama City on the country's Atlantic coast, surrounded by jungle.
A broad coalition of Panamanians – including students, environmentalists, labor groups and indigenous communities – have pointed to the alleged impact on the environment and water supplies and have been protesting for weeks.
“People already feel betrayed by everything that is institutional in Panama,” a photographer who lost an eye when police shot at protesters told W5. “It's not just mining, many things are related to corruption. People have had enough of it.”
Citing the alleged impact on the environment and water supplies, Panamanian students, environmentalists, labor groups and indigenous communities have been protesting for weeks (W5).
Protesters also blocked the mine's access to roads and the port, hindering operations.
“We knew from the beginning that this was their weak point,” one fisherman told W5 of a naval blockade. “We knew from day one that we would achieve something and be successful with our protests here.”
In November, Panama's Supreme Court ruled that the government's concession to the company was unconstitutional. The agreement would have secured at least $375 million per year for Panama, more than ten times the previous agreement and the largest private investment in the country's history.
After defending the agreement against widespread opposition, the Panamanian government later announced it would close the mine, although the process could take years.
“The government just wants to be rich and forget us,” a student protester told W5 from a barricaded university. “We get nothing.”
The multibillion-dollar company plans to appeal the decision and is seeking arbitration to reinstate its contract or receive damages. First Quantum says it will create thousands of jobs and contribute up to five percent of Panama's GDP.
“First Quantum has invested more than $10 billion to build a world-class mine, port and power plant in Panama,” the company said in a December press release. “The company will take all appropriate legal actions to protect its investments and rights.”
Watch W5's documentary “Panama's War with Canada” on CTV Saturday at 7 p.m