First Quantum Suspends Copper Production in Panama Amid Blockade

Port protest is restricting supplies to First Quantum’s mine
Workers are leaving Cobre Panama site, union leader says

Demonstrators wave Panamanian flags during a protest against First Quantum Minerals Ltd. in Panama City, Panama, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The company is winding down operations as a blockade of small boats at a port restricts key supplies such as coal for energy, a union leader said. — Demonstrators wave Panamanian flags during a protest against First Quantum Minerals Ltd. in Panama City, Panama, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The company is winding down operations as a blockade of small boats at a port restricts key supplies such as coal for energy, a union leader said.
Photographer: Walter Hurtado/Bloomberg

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By James Attwood and Jacob Lorinc

November 23, 2023 at 1:49 PM UTC

Updated on

November 23, 2023 at 9:55 PM UTC

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First Quantum Minerals Ltd. suspended production in Panama as a blockade of boats restricts key supplies to one of the world’s biggest and newest copper mines.

“Cobre Panama is no longer operating at commercial levels of production,” the Canadian company said in a text message, confirming union comments earlier Thursday.