Panama's Supreme Court declares 20-year contract for Canadian copper mine unconstitutional
Panama's Supreme Court has unanimously declared a 20-year concession for a Canadian copper mine that had sparked weeks of protests as unconstitutional.
I missed this because I was too busy dancing to the news of Kissinger's death, but amazing news! Big W for Panama and the protesters especially!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Opponents of the Cobre Panama mine argued it would damage a forested coastal area and threaten water supplies.
The announcement of the nine-member court’s decision after four days of deliberations set off cheers among a crowd of people waiting outside and waving Panamanian flags.
Panama President Laurentino Cortizo told the nation Tuesday that as soon as his administration formally receives the court’s decision it would be published in the official gazette and a process will begin “for an orderly and safe closure of the mine.”
Protesters also blocked parts of the Pan American highway, including a stretch near the border with Costa Rica.
Minera Panama said in a statement earlier this month that small boats had blocked its port in Colon province, preventing supplies from reaching the mine.
Naval police reported that a ship carrying coal decided to turn back due to “hostility from a group of protesters who from their boats threw rocks and blunt homemade objects” before being dispersed.
The original article contains 572 words, the summary contains 161 words. Saved 72%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!
