Canada's First Quantum announced on Tuesday that the final hearing for the Cobre Panama mine, a leading global copper source, under International Chamber of Commerce proceedings, has been rescheduled to February 2026 from its initial date in September of this year.
The mine was closed in November 2023, following Panama's Supreme Court ruling the mine contract as unconstitutional, alongside environmental protests against its operation.
Additionally, the Canadian company mentioned that the Government of Panama sought an extension for submission dates to the arbitration panel due to changes in legal representation and the new government requiring time to assess the mine situation.
In the previous year, the Canadian mining company introduced a voluntary retirement program for mine workers, pending government approval to resume operations.