Mining reform would require to get things done right, Vice minister of Commerce states

Vice minister of commerce Ricardo Quijano

Things done well, protect the environment and fix the disorder concerning the mining subject in Panama is the objective of the amendments to the Code of Mineral Resources, a proposal that relies on the National Assembly waiting to be discussed again after its adoption and repeal during the first months of 2011.

The vice minister of commerce and Industries (MICI) Ricardo Quijano, stated that he is not in favor or against any of the groups that have expressed their position concerning this subject “but he is in favor of the environment, communities and things done well.”

“In order to achieve this goal, a mayor effort has being done in order to fix the disorder around metallic and nonmetallic mining in Panama and this has created all kind of differences but what we are looking for is the best for the country” stated.

Emphatically, the vice minister of MICI said that is worthless to have a valuable resource if it’s not exploited, therefore what is not exploited is not wealth, and if you want to enjoy such goods, then they must be exploited responsibly.

“What we are trying to do with these changes to the mining code, is casually, set the guidelines and bases needed to have a strong department of mineral resources, independent, who can do inspections, audits and become a link with the environment, something that didn’t exist previously in the mining code”, explained Quijano

The ministry of MICI was accurate in pointing out the groups that reject mining, proposing as an alternative for marginalized communities, tourism and productive activities.

He respects the opinion of those who do not agree with mining projects in mountain and marginalized areas, he stated that “we must see this on the long term and with the responsibility that this government has because we have very poor areas in this country and along the years these areas where promised with tourism, agriculture, livestock, farming and anything you can imagine and still remain poor.

Indeed, in marginal areas like the region of Ngabe Bugle the mortality of pregnant women is 30%, while the rates of malnutrition are around 25% in rural areas. Perhaps many governments tried to help these regions but it’s not so easy because is very expensive to get there, Quijano said.

He noted that even though different governments have made big efforts with social programs to improve the life style on these areas, it’s not enough to draw from marginality to all indigenous groups in need of a primary development as we had with the Panama Canal which made our country keep the 80% of its gross domestic product in service.

Quijano criticized those who reject mining using as an argument the defense of nature and biodiversity and imagined what would have happened if the panama canal had being built today: “they would have told us that we would stay without water, animals, biodiversity and there we see the canal and if we wouldn’t had it? Oh my go! What would become of us!

With the reforms to the Code of Mineral Resources the government is adapting the legislation to have the right tools to regulate an industry growing steadily.

“What we are doing is to give more tools to the municipalities of panama so they can have the necessary funds from products that are being exploited in nonmetallic mines and today are receiving too little and they can have the necessary resources to become supervisors of these projects” said the vice minister.

In panama, Petaquilla Gold S.A. led by the businessman Richard Fifer-Carles, as part of its corporate social program develops social work through the Petaquilla foundation which works with the communities close to the project, which assist with several programs like adopt your godson, school garden production modules, support in education, health and others.