TORONTO — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. says the government of Panama has approved the removal, processing and export of stockpiled ore at the Cobre Panamá copper mine.

The company says the move does not constitute a reopening of the mine and will not involve new drilling or blasting.

First Quantum says the processing of stockpiled ore is intended to reduce environmental and operational risks due to prolonged storage at the mine.

The stockpile is estimated to be around 38 million tonnes of mineralized ore and about 70,000 tonnes of recoverable copper.

First Quantum says it expects the preparation to take about three months until it begins processing.

In January, First Quantum announced the government of Panama would authorize the removal and processing of certain materials at the Cobre Panamá copper mine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2026.

Companies in this story: (TSX: FM)

The Canadian Press