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October 27, 2023

Major Protests in Panama Take Aim at Canadian Copper Mine
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In Panama, nationwide Indigenous-led protests and blockades intensified
this week, demanding the government reverse its approval of a 20-year
contract for a foreign-owned open-pit copper mine. Police fired tear gas
at demonstrators, who say the mine will poison fresh water sources. They
also cited corruption allegations against lawmakers. Dozens have been
arrested. Opponents say the new contract for the Cobre Panamá mine was
fast-tracked with little public input or transparency. The mine is the
largest in Central America. It's owned by Canada's First Quantum
Minerals.


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