Just in June there have been three requests for mining exploration in the region of Cañazas in the center west province of Veraguas.
The Mineral Resources department of Panama's Ministry for Trade and Industry (MICI) received two exploration requests from Canamanian Resources Inc. and another from Constructora Minas Canteras y Ambiente. The three requests cover an area of 15,564 hectares.
The country's attorney general has ordered all activity to cease while complaints are investigated.
The order to suspend mining activity, directed at the Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), is a response to the precautionary measure issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IAHCR).
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that, "Last May, IAHCR ordered the Guatemalan state to suspend the mine's work and requested information on the level of soil, air and water contamination".
Company directors say that they will continue to expand with new "Cerro Blanco" project.
Almost two months since the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IAHCR) recommended to the Guatemalan government that Goldcorp's operations at the Marlin mine be suspended, the administration has ordered a review to determine whether or not a suspension is appropriate. Meanwhile, Goldcorp continues its operations in the country.
Goldcorp To Implement Human Rights Assessment Recommendations; Commits To Integrate Human Rights In Business Process
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, June 30, 2010 – GOLDCORP INC. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) today presented its initial response to the recently completed independent human rights assessment (HRA) prepared by On Common Ground Consultants Inc. The report is the result of an eighteen month assessment of how the Marlin mine which is operated by Montana Exploradora de Guatemala, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldcorp, has affected human rights, and whether the Company has in place and is implementing effectively policies and procedures to mitigate the risks of potential conflicts with international human rights standards.
The temporary suspension announced by President Alvaro Colom won’t take effect immediately.
Representatives from Goldcorp, owner of the mine, remarked that they will continue operating while the investigation takes place.
PrensaLibre.com printed statements by President Alvaro Colom: “We answered to the CIDH’s request, but there is a due legal and administrative procedure. The company has its rights, and the accusations still have to be proven”.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called on the government to shut the project, pending an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and environmental problems.
María-Isabel Rivero, commission press director, says the call to cease mining is obligatory in Guatemala. She assured that this is necessary to prevent the conditions from worsening in the year or two it would take to investigate the matter, should the alleged human rights and environmental concerns found to be valid.
Canadian mining corporation Radius calculated how much gold it could extract from its “Tambor” project, in San Pedro Ayampuc.
According to Lorena Álvarez, the figure was included in an environmental impact study presented by “Exploraciones Mineras de Guatemala” (Exmingua), a subsidiary of Radius Exploration Ltd.
“Radius plans to invest $33.7 million … Construction would take between 9 and 12 months, the mine would operate for 5 years, and between 12 and 18 months would be required to close the project”, reported Elperiodico.com.gt.
Canadian mining corporation Condor Resources has been granted a 25 year exploration and mining concession in Nicaragua.
The 22.5 kilometer area is located in La Libertad – Santo Domingo, and adds to Condor’s 5 existing concessions in the country.
From Proactiveinvestors.com: “According to Condor, the Cerro Quiroz vein was discovered in 2003 by Canadian explorer Chesapeake Gold Corp (TSX-V: CKG) which defined a north-south trending quartz vein grading up to 17.8 grams per tonne gold over more than 1500 metres strike length”.
Petaquilla Minerals, a Canadian company, has placed $11.62 million, and will invest them in its 100% owned Molejon Gold Project, located in Panama.
In a press release, the company explains that the funds will also be used for exploring the “Oro del Norte” concession, also located in Panama, and for working capital.
The company announced exploration results from the Jabali vein, located nine kilometers east of its 100% owned Orosi Mine.
The Orosi Mine commenced production in January 2010.
The Jabali vein system is at the east end of a 20 kilometre long belt of gold bearing veins on the Orosi property. Jabali is an east-west trending, low sulphidation epithermal quartz vein system which was mined for its high grade ore from 1862 to 1956.
Condor Resources Plc Company won the concession for mining exploration in Santa Barbara, an area of 16 square km.
The international company has concessions in Nicaragua and El Salvador. The new Santa Barbara concession is adjacent to Cacao concession which is 16 square kilometers and also held by Condor.
The company said that future exploration concessions in Santa Barbara and Cacao will establish the company as a leading player in La India mining district.