Snapshot: In 2023, lawyer Juan Ramón Sevillano Callejas filed a claim with the Panamanian Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of Article 1 of Law 406 that allowed the government's concession with the mining company First Quantum Minerals about their Cobre Panama copper mine. Article 1 relates to the National Assembly's approval of state contracts. Another lawyer, Martita Cornejo Robles, also filed a lawsuit on the same matter that was admitted by the Supreme Court.

On 27 November 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that Law 406 was unconstitutional, prompting the government to announce the mine's closure. In response, First Quantum Minerals initiated international arbitration to either reinstate its contract or seek damages. The case is closed.

In April 2026, the Government approved the removal, processing and export of stockpiled ore. Officials frame the move as a safety measure, but others see it as a potential step toward reopening the controversial project.

Court documents

• Supreme Court Decision, 27 Nov 2023 (only available in Spanish)