Estimates are that there are $200 billion worth of metals in the Panamanian subsoil, with copper predominating. My question is simple, is it worth turning our rainforests into open pits like this one?  Let’s see what is nicer, money that will just end up lining someones pockets and get spent on boats and planes or this which could last forever.

Oh well, here is the story from Anpanama…

Although the largest proportion of mining reserves is copper, the four gold deposits identified alone are valued at about $5 billion.

Anpanama.com reports that “… The Panamanian government has granted in concession most of these deposits and their exploitation is currently in different stages, yet none have passed the stage of mining, which is when the material is excavated. At the moment Minera Panama has under construction the Panama Cobre mine which involves an investment of $6 billion.The Cobre Panama mine will be in production in late 2017 or early 2018. Another major project in gold and silver is Petaquilla Gold, which is currently paralyzed due to financial problems. ”

It is important to note the existence of strong resistance from environmentalists groups to open pit mining. (NO KIDDING)

The president of the Mining Chamber of Panama, Roberto Cuevas, added “… The potential in the country could be much higher as only a little of the territory has been explored. The studies carried out in 2009 that were under concession or to be given in concession cover 40% of the country. ”

Source: anpanama.com