Gold Exploration in Panama

Sustainable model, protecting the environment

Protection of the environment is one of the guiding principles of sustainable mining. For years, mining activities have damaged the planet and its fragile ecosystems – it is now time to reverse these actions.

Petaquilla has well understood this fundamental principle and has applied it within Coclé y Colón since the project's reactivation.

With the reactivation of the Petaquilla mining project in 2005 (after a forced recess due to the diminution of international metal prices), the company carried out evaluations, viability analysis, and individual environmental impact studies, that were given to the ANAM, as required by the Ley General del Ambiente (General Environment Law).

After fulfilling the requirements, the Government of Panama approved by resolution of the MICI, multi phase mining development plan, presented by the company by means of Contract Law (# 9, 26 of February in 1997). The first of these, belonging to the Oro Molejón deposit, began in 2006, and to the date, construction on the mineral processing plant is being carried out.

Petaquilla has implemented preventative measures to protect the environment before damage occurs, and other measures to reduce environmental damage that exceed traditional sector standards and strictly adhere to Panama 's environmental laws.

Not satisfied with simply meeting government standards, Petaquilla has implemented its own stricter standards, in keeping with the company philosophy to carry out mining activities with the utmost respect for and protection of the environment.

Reforesting the planet

Mine and road construction can negatively impact the environment and to counteract this, the sustainable model calls for the implementation of mitigating and preventative measures.

The Petaquilla mine project, located in Coclé and Colón provinces in Panama , was approved by the Panamanian government in September, 2005, through its Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias (MICI, Commerce and Industry Ministry). Since that time, Petaquilla has fully embraced the sustainable mining model, which encompasses the socio-economic growth of the region along with the protection of its environment.

One of the first phases of the project was the construction of 50km of roads through rural areas. Trees had to be cut, but Petaquilla planted triple the amount of new trees, largely exceeding government requirements.

A negative impact was thus converted into a positive one. Additionally, work is being done in 3 communities on water purification.

In addition to reforestation, soil erosion control and slope stabilization were carried out with vegetation from local plant purchasing programs and the creation of tree nurseries (Villa del Carmen, Las Ceibas-Los Tablones and Los Molejones).

To prevent and reduce sedimentation in surface water sources, biomantas synthetic nets, herb sacks, and landslide contention walls were installed.

In the Cascajal River , the naturally occurring landslides into the riverbed were cleaned, and periodic cleanings of surface water sources are still being carried out to aid in the conservation of water.

In the Nazareth-La Ceiba area, maintenance, reforestation, logging control and beautification projects were implemented along with continual environmental workshops on soil conservation, environmental protection and a environmental health.

Thanks to these actions, Petaquilla has not only curbed deforestation, but has become the principal advocate of environmental protection in the area, despite the fact that various local groups try to minimize the mine's efforts.

Sustainable mining, clear and tangible actions

Sustainable mining principles not only encourage the correct use of natural resources, but also that individual mines take action to improve their surroundings.

Petaquilla is a socially responsible company, and has been recognized throughout Panama for implementing environmental preventative and mitigating measures that are stricter than those required by Panamanian Contract Law 9.

Till the present day, slope replanting, cut and fill of the Farallón Bypass in order to stabilize it, cleaning of natural landslides in the riverbed of Cascajal River and periodic cleanings of the surface water sources to aid in the conservation of water are being carried out.

Synthetic nets have been installed to stabilize slopes and prevent soil erosion. The land by the Llano Grande-Coclecito highway was manually compacted as a first step. Contention walls were built to prevent sediment leakage into the Cascajal River and Tiburcio Gorge.

Structural work to recover the Llano Grande -Coclecito highway was undertaken after the natural landslides in October and November 2006. A reinforced contention wall was built, and soil conservation and erosion control work was also done.

In the Villa del Carmen-Coclecito Bypass, erosion control work and contour stripping were done, along with the planting of ratana.

The project with the biggest positive impact so far is the reforestation project. In all sections of the 50km of new roads, trees and roadside vegetation have been planted and re-planted.

Local river levels are measured daily, with the aid of permanent measuring devices like those implanted in the San Juan River.

To ensure that these activities are continually implemented, Petaquilla gives regular environmental workshops on soil conservation, environmental protection and environmental health in the communities of Cascajal, Los Molejones, Coclecito, Villa del Carmen, Embarcadero and San Juan de Turbe, with 200 attendees at each workshop.