The Cobre Panamá mine’s closure has led to significant environmental deterioration, with ELAW warning of imminent dam failure. Local Indigenous communities report contamination issues affecting both health and ecosystems. Experts stress the need for improved mine closure regulations in the region to mitigate social and environmental impacts, particularly in the context of ongoing resource management challenges.
The Cobre Panamá mine, which closed in 2023, has left its infrastructure to deteriorate in a biodiverse area on Panama’s Atlantic coast. According to a report by the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), the mine’s tailings dam is facing severe risks of failure due to inadequate monitoring and internal erosion. Nearby Indigenous communities have reported worsening water contamination, leading to species loss and health issues among residents.
Experts emphasize that mine closure regulations in Latin America are lacking and highlight the need for responsible closure planning that considers environmental and social impacts. The deterioration of inactive mines, such as Cobre Panamá, is not an isolated incident. Past events, like the Brazilian dam collapse in 2019, underscore the dangers of poorly managed mining operations that can lead to catastrophic failures.
Data between 1915 and 2021 reveals that 342 tailings dams have failed globally, with 57% occurring in the Americas. The Cobre Panamá tailings dam has been flagged by ELAW as particularly vulnerable due to internal erosion, which poses a significant risk to both human and environmental health. Indigenous leaders have voiced their concerns, indicating water contamination is affecting local species and causing public health issues.
The Cobre Panamá mine, once the country’s largest, spanned over 13,000 hectares and produced a substantial copper supply. After its closure, the company has entered a preservation phase, but without adequate monitoring tools like functioning inclinometers, risks of dam failure remain. The ELAW report indicates that not only has there been insufficient monitoring of the tailings dam, but the company violated national laws regarding acid mine drainage detection.
The diverse ecosystems within the area, including habitats for threatened species like the jaguar and great green macaw, are at risk due to contamination from the mine. ELAW argues that existing regulations around mine closures are insufficient, highlighting a lack of enforced monitoring practices in Panama. Calls for improved regulations and a reassessment of closure plans are echoed by legal and environmental advocates.
As Latin American nations grapple with mine closure challenges, only Peru and Chile have established comprehensive legislation for mine closure oversight. Other countries face limitations, with existing regulations often failing to address the long-term social impacts of mine closures. Experts stress the importance of holistic closure plans that mitigate negative effects on communities and the environment, focusing on both safety and social considerations.
The closure of Cobre Panamá underscores significant regulatory failures in mine management and poses immediate threats to local environments and communities. As Indigenous populations report health concerns linked to contamination, the need for enhanced oversight and robust closure planning becomes increasingly urgent. Addressing these shortcomings is essential to safeguard biodiversity and establish responsible mining practices across Latin America.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
