An indefinite moratorium on new mining activities passed a second vote in Panama’s National Assembly Thursday. One article was removed, however, that would have revoked a controversial mining contract which had sparked nationwide protests over the past two weeks. The bill had already passed a second debate on Wednesday while it still included an article revoking the government’s contract with Minera Panama, a local subsidiary of Canadian mining company First Quantum. Lawmakers reversed that decision Thursday, sending the bill back to a second debate and stripping the article specifically related to the Minera Panama contract. The moratorium bill now awaits a third and final debate, in which no further changes can be made, then the final approval of President Laurentino Cortizo.

Source: ABC News November 08, 2023 02:48 UTC