First Quantum Mineral’s Cobre Panama mine is set to resume operations and ramp up production thoroughput to close to 85mn mt per annum.
The mine went into preservation and safe maintenance mode on April 6 because of the pandemic, however, it’s been given permission from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Panama (MINSA) to reopen the mine.
The company noted that it projects full production to start by mid-August and currently has 800 employees at the site. It expects to bring in more employees back by implementing a phased approach, in compliance with MINSA guidelines, to prioritize the health and safety of its employees.