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Demonstrators march in a parade during a protest against a mining contract between the Panamanian government and the Canadian mining company First Quantum, in Panama City. November 3, 2023
PANAMA’S President Laurentino Cortizo signed into law an indefinite moratorium on new mining concessions on Friday, which also prohibits renewing existing concessions.
Panama’s National Assembly approved the Bill on Thursday. An article was removed, however, that would have revoked a controversial mining contract that sparked nationwide protests over the past two weeks.
The new law will still allow Minera Panama to operate an open-pit copper mine in the state of Colon for 20 years, with a possible extension for another 20 years.
Powerful agribusiness interests are trying to overturn efforts by the Lula government to protect the environment and indigenous peoples of the Amazon region, writes GABRIELA SA PESSOA
![Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks in front of a live map of smoke movement during a press conference updating media on ongoing forest fires in Ontario, in Toronto [Pic: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP]](https://msd11.gn.apc.org/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2026-07/8canadafire.jpg.webp?itok=9a8C3kap)
As Ontario burns, campaigners are demanding action – not more pipelines, says DAVE McKEE
