Our Cobre Panamá resettlement is widely recognised as a model for successfully resettling communities through free, prior and informed consent. Developing the Cobre Panamá project required the relocation of 86 families living in a region of dense jungle. About two-thirds were indigenous people of Ngäbe heritage.
In 2007, we began an eight-year process of engagement and consultation to develop a resettlement plan for these families. The resulting agreement was the product of good-faith negotiations based on internationally accepted principles of free, prior and informed consent.
All resettled families are now living in newly built towns – Nueva Esperanza and Nuevo Eden – working, attending school and living according to their traditions. The new houses, services and amenities were designed collaboratively.
The Ngäbe householders, previously informal settlers, now hold title to their land.
The community has primary schools and teacher lodging which has allowed it to accommodate full-time teachers paid for by the government – something not previously possible.
The community schools are operational and staffed by the Ministry of Education. This on-going government support for the new settlements will be key to long-term sustainability.
The First Quantum team continues to engage with the resettled communities. We consult on new infrastructure and programs that will benefit everyone. Through our community outreach programs, we support families in productive and sustainable farming. We provide microcredit loans to establish small businesses. From Nueva Esperanza and Nuevo Eden, we employ local carpenters and builders at the Cobre Panamá mine site – putting to use building skills they gained working alongside our teams on the construction of their own houses.
Resettlement is a logistically complex, culturally sensitive and politically delicate process – and it doesn’t end on moving day. Responsible resettlement means remaining present and available to resettled communities as they adjust to the move.