Petaquilla Gold SA

Richard fifer

Petaquilla Gold, S.A.

By Ana Mendez

March 2011

In its pathological effort to win more converts to their campaign, an expensive documentary that tries to convince Panamanians that the Oroya case will repeat here has been mounted. But the extremism that has been reached in Panama to win over converts to the campaign against metallic mining cannot change the isthmus’ genesis.

It is falsely stated that mining is the most polluting industry.

The pesticide industry and agricultural chemicals and fertilizers are the most polluting industries with mutagenic effects on humans. More than 60 toxic substances prohibited by law are sold in any small convenience store in Panama.

Coclesito and not even Cañazas are the most polluted places in Panama; instead, Rincón de Santa Maria, Almirante, Puerto Armuelles and the highlands have the highest rate of disabled people in Panama. Infants die of Myelomeningocele, a genetic disease in which the neural tube fails to close. Women abort and their fetuses have anencephaly (fetus formed with no brain).

This leads me to clarify that cyanide, mining’s ghost, is not carcinogenic, does not cause genetic defects and decomposes with ultraviolet light in tropical climates within 18 months.

But there are groups who profit from peddling fear. Humans need to believe that they are fighting for something fair and there are those who make a killing by taking advantage of such sentiment.

This script is used to perfection by anti-mining organizations to spread alarm and suit their purposes.

It is no secret that extreme environmentalism is a belief and now one of the wealthiest and most powerful religions in the world.

This movement bases its success on data and statistics manipulation to present them as an imminent catastrophic threat, thus making credible appeals to swell its ranks of followers.

This manipulation of information is based on several techniques: from exaggeration, misrepresentation and concealment of data to the deliberate omission of scientific facts that disagree with the alarmists’ hypothesis. Their propaganda and discourse appeal to the population’s sensibilities.

They exploit the public’s innocence and good intentions, their lack of knowledge on technical and scientific issues and man’s innate fear of dangers and threats that are beyond his comprehension.

They mention the moratorium on gold in Costa Rica as an example. Costa Rica may declare the moratorium because it does not have deposits of gold and copper the size of ours. It would be easy for us and I propose a moratorium on uranium.

They speak of loss of biodiversity and the loss of indigenous children who die from malnutrition before turning one. Or of those whose IQ will not develop because they were not fed properly until the age of 5. I advocate for the opportunity for a new generation of miners, with salary and retirement. I do not want another generation of domestic workers and grass cutters. I want that the “100 at 70” program does not exist 20 years from now.

When Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, critics prophesied that Panama City would flood when the canal was handed back to us due to the Panamanians’ incompetency. Today, 11 years later, we have shown that Panamanians are responsible professionals that can manage the canal better than the Americans did.

So I want to finish my discussion with one question: if we were able to operate, administrate and manage a canal which is an example of technology and responsibility, why not show the world that we can do responsible mining, with high environmental standards, strict safety standards and attached to corporate social responsibility?

If Panamanians were able to handle the canal, who says we cannot make a mine set an example for the world? I do not know what you think but I believe in Panamanian professionals.