Coffee under the canopy

Our Cobre Panama project lies in the heart of the rainforest. When it was developed, it inevitably led to some tree clearing, although we worked hard to keep that to a minimum.

Agroforestation

As part of our reforestation project, we have provided farmers in the region with access to ‘agroforestation’ opportunities, which enriches the soil and helps reduce erosion.

Agrogorestation is a land management system that involves growing trees and crops together on the same plot of land, combining agricultural and forestry techniques, hence the name. It is a low-cost method that can help to reduce the impact on natural land and forests and helps to avoid deforestation in order to sustain the area’s farmers.

Ideal crops include coffee, cocoa and achiote, which all flourish in lower-light settings.

The local farmers say the low light means the coffee plants produce better tasting beans and require less weeding.

Agroforestation is one dimension in our long-term commitment to reforest thousands of hectares in and around the Cobre Panama site – with the added benefit of supporting the livelihood of local farmers.