The proposal to exploit the gold mine in Cerro Quema, Los Santos, was considered “viable” by the Evaluation and Environmental Management Department in Panama.

The Evaluation and Environmental Management Department at the Ministry of Environment recommended that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the project be approved. Prensa.com reports that now they are  “… just waiting for the signature of approval from the Environment Minister Mirei Endara.”

The mining project in Cerro Quema includes a concession to extract gold in an area of 15 hectares, and its operation, once the environmental endorsement is finalised, will start late 2016.

“… The environmental impact study details the installation of a gold oxide plant, which can process about 10 thousand tons of earth and rock per day. The project consists of three phases: The first has to do with the construction of mining facilities and renovation of roads, the second with the development of mining activities of the pits of La Pava and Quemadita, and mineral processing; and the last stage is the closure of the project, which is estimated will take 10 years with an investment of approximately $140.5 million. “