Supporting Local Fishers in Cocles: Cobre Panama and First Quantum Partner for a Sustainable Future
The rural beaches of Cocles, Panama, on the Caribbean coast, are constantly alive with the unending work of the region’s hardworking acuicultores, or aquacultures. Supporting local fishermen, Cobre Panama and First Quantum, a leading producer of copper concentrate, have partnered to ensure the health and sustainability of this community. Through the generous dedication of these two corporations, it is now possible to harvest enough to both serve local markets and make the work of fishing a global, commercial commodity.
Cobre Panama, located in Donoso, Panama, is a large-scale open-pit copper mining project located approximately 120 kilometers west of Panama City. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian mining and metals company and a major producer of copper concentrate, as well as acids, fertilizers, and other products. In addition to their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, First Quantum has shown immense dedication to the local communities whose lives are affected by their presence. By partnering with Cobre Panama, they are now able to expand their support of the environment and local fishing families.
The partnership between Cobre Panama and First Quantum has allowed local fisherman to increase their efforts to meet the local demand as well as find new opportunities beyond the already established traditional markets. The new commercialization efforts include the preservation of the local culture, allowing the fishermen to preserve their traditional knowledge and skills while becoming more competitive in the global marketplace.
Not only are Cobre Panama and First Quantum supporting these families, but they are also working to ensure that the environment around the Caribbean coast is sustainably managed. They have implemented a range of initiatives to protect the coral reef, the mangrove, and a variety of endemic and endangered species of both flora and fauna. These initiatives include establishing environmental management plans and providing the necessary education and support so that the fishermen can properly manage their activities and catch without negatively affecting the ecology of the Cocles coastline.
The stories of the local fishermen of Cocles have been long and storied, but with the help of Cobre Panama and First Quantum, the future looks promising. These efforts to ensure the health and sustainability of local communities and the preservation of culture, knowledge, and skill, combined with a commitment to the environment, have made this partnership a win-win for local fishing families and the environment alike. All of this is possible through Cobre Panama and First Quantum’s effort to make sure that the fish caught by the acuicultores of Cocles can be enjoyed by the world.
Partnering for Cocles’ Future
