Mining generates positive results

June 2011

The authorities and inhabitants of one of the country’s small municipalities never thought they could receive a direct cash contribution of close to 200 thousand dollars for possessing natural wealth that’s being exploited with the same  modern precious metal extraction technology techniques used in other latitudes of the planet.

That’s exactly what happened this past week, when the Executive authorities of Petaquilla Gold mining visited the Honorable Municipal Council to deliver a substantialamount of money, that –in the words of the authorities-will be used to fulfill a series of aspirations that were not only the wish of the council but also of the residents of a district that has so many needs.

The $193.707.58 contribution that was received by Feliciano Villarreta, Mayor of Donoso,is the result of the contractual compensation that Petaquilla Gold, who has settled in the area to exploit the mineral resources that exist deep below, agreed to pay the populations in the area around the mining Project. The extracting and gold processing plant is located in Molejon, in the district of Donoso and the money given is the product of compensatory-taxes established in the exploitation agreements.

This contribution, is the result of the contracts signed with the State and that the company diligently pays and help provides direct benefit to many communities that besides receiving the direct impact of developing projects such as schools, boarding schools, health centers, road development, bridges, improved seeds, harvesting practices of land, scholarships, direct employment, social security, birth registration, ongoing training to keep them within the plants operational structure, are among some of the benefits that the residents of the communities surrounding the mining communities receive nowadays.

Besides the above mentioned projects and the tangible benefits that these residents enjoy, they will also have, as of today, a considerable amount of financial resources available for the community councils to designate for actions plans and development projects that will enhance the quality of life of these Panamanians.

The expressions on the faces of the senior citizens, women, youth and children present at the ceremony for the delivery of this large contribution were priceless. Happiness surpassing all of their expectations.The plans and designs of projects are being evaluated and in a matter of a few weeks, these can be initiated.

What will those opposed to the development of works surrounding the mine projects that are exploited with responsibility by the Company say now?Projects that are being monitored by International Organizations to ensure Environmental Preservation and sustainable development compliance. A company that hires technicians, scientists, staff and state of the art technology to ensure that biodiversity is never threatened, nor any harm done to living species, flora and fauna may resent the application of rules not included in the protocols governing the matter.

Those who have always been opposed to our country obtaining global relevance by exploiting its natural resources just as the world’s powerful countries do, they are blind to the obvious reality that is shown in a positive relationship between the local residents and the Company. They are playing with these residents futures by wanting to keep them in the dark ages just to meet the interests of big global mining companies who oppose to the development of new mines and the possible saturation of global metal markets driving prices down on the stock markets.

These employees, who call themselves conservationists, should go and see the joyful  faces that were present at the ceremony in which the Minister of Trade and Industry, Roberto Henriquez, the Vice Minister, Ricardo Quijano, the director of Mineral Resources Zahadia Barrera and Mayor Feliciano Villarreta were present along with the full Council and the distinguished representative of the company’s executives in the province, Mr. Pedro Rios, who said that the mining projects “is a blessing from God” for each and every one of the inhabitants of the area, due to the direct solutions it is providing.

For his part, the President of the mining company, Rodrigo Esquivel, expressed his willingness to contribute to the sustainable development of these remote communities across the country, highlighting the company’s high level of commitment to pursue a mining Project with cutting edge technology and high levels of security and environmental respect.

On behalf of the National Government, the Minister of Trade, Roberto Henriquez said that this contribution may have been over 800 thousand dollars if it hadn’t been for the derogation of Law Contract 8, due to pressure received from different sectors with a political agenda who are opposed to the exploitation of mineral resources.

Related posts:

1. Mining company delivers royalties to Panamanian municipality
2. Responsible mining can drive social and environmental development
3. Mining, future and social responsibility in Panamá
4. Modern Mining Applies Ecological Controls
5. Indigenous populations can benefit from mining activity

Posted in Richard Fifer