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First Quantum might remove copper concentrate from Panama mine after election, CEO states

Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals believes it will be able to take the already mined 121,000 tonnes of copper concentrate out of its challenged mine in Panama after the nationwide elections there in May, the business's chief executive said on Wednesday.

Panama's existing federal government ordered the closure of the Cobre Panama copper mine last year after public protests over ecological damage from mining in the country. Cobre Panama accounted for about 1% of the international copper output, and contributed about 40% to First Quantum's profits in 2015.

First Quantum has actually been working out with Panama's government to allow it to sell the copper that it mined before the disagreement started. Copper was trading at $9772 a metric tonne at the London Metals Exchange on Wednesday. Any procedures from the sale could help cover the expenses of maintaining the mine.

Obviously, in the context of election politics and a strong argument around that, the balance of probability probably spills over after the election, said Tristan Pascall, CEO of First Quantum Minerals, when asked during an expert call when the company anticipates to secure the copper concentrate from the mine website.

Cobre Panama is under disagreement after the Panama Supreme Court nullified its mining contract and the country's president closed the mine following the general public demonstrations.

A new government in Panama might overturn that, however polls reveal that individuals of Panama are still versus mining.

The closure pushed Very first Quantum to undertake a series of debt restructuring measures, consisting of providing equity worth $1. billion and business debt worth $1.6 billion. It is likewise. thinking about generating an equity partner for its Zambian mines.

in March reported that First Quantum authorities fulfilled. with Chinese federal government officials to go over the prospect of. copper miner Jiagnxi Copper buying the contested copper from. Panama after the elections.

Shares of First Quantum were up 2% on the Toronto Stock. Exchange around midday.

On the proposed minority sale of the Zambian mines, the. company said that it will enter into a collaboration just if it. brings value to shareholders and the South African government.

The current funding deal that we put forward. through Q1 implies we do not have to participate in a deal. here, Ryan MacWilliam, CFO of First Quantum said, referring to. the Zambia mines.