The Panamanian government faces strong opposition from the Ngobe-Bugle people to gold mining concessions granted in the indigenous group's territory. Explorations are planned in the Veraguas, Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro provinces in northeast Panama, near the Costa Rican border.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reports that it has granted 115 concessions to explore and 15 permits to extract minerals since November 1994, covering a total of nearly four million acres, or 21 percent of the country. Forty-three concessions are in the 4,000 square mile homeland of the Ngobe-Bugle, also known as the Guaymi.
The Ngobe-Bugle, whose population totals 150,000, is calling for a moratorium on all mining exploration projects within their traditional lands until the government recognizes and defines the area as an official reservation and acknowledges the tribal government's authority. According to Camilo Ortega, the Ngobe-Bugle's cacique, or chief, 80 percent of the tribe's territory has been conceded to mining companies.
Marcia Pastor of the Ministry's Mineral Resources Division, says that Panama is "an area prime for mining investment, and a large part of the country is being explored. We see this as a positive activity as long as it is carefully done and care is taken to minimize environmental impact."
Ortega emphasizes that the Ngobe-Bugle are not entirely opposed to mining, but after seeing other places where mineral extraction has taken place, he thinks his doubts all well-founded. "All that remains is poverty and destruction for the communities, and the riches have disappeared." He adds, "We will not discuss mining until the government recognizes our territory. Until then, we are prepared to fight, whatever happens."
In recent years, indigenous people have been injured, arrested and jailed by police for opposing mining operations in their territory. Ngobe-Bugle protests have also frustrated the Canadian company Rio Tinto Zinc attempts to open a copper mine in Chiriqui province.
Contacts: In Panama, Camilo Ortega, Calle 6ta., Edif. Italita, Santiago de Veraguas, 507/998-5350 (tel), 507/998-2057 (fax) ; Direccion de Recursos Minerales, Apdo. 9658, Zona 4, Panama, 507/236-1823 (tel), 236-3173 (fax).
This article is provided from the Rainforest Alliance's Tropical Conservation Newsbureau, based in San Jose,Costa Rica. For more information, contact Diane Jukofsky or Chris Wille, Rainforest Alliance, Apdo. 138-2150, Moravia, San Jose, Costa Rica; Phone: 506-240-9383; Fax: 506-240-2543; Email: infotrop@sol.racsa.co.cr
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