Panama's mining giant soon to emerge

Cobre Panamá, owned by Canada's First Quantum Minerals, says it will launch production of copper February 18. The project represents an investment of $6.4 billion.

According to the government, the royalties paid by Cobre Panamá will add 2 percentage points to the growth of the economy.

According to the Comptroller-General's Office, Panama's mining sector contributes 1.6 percent of GDP but that figure is expected to grow to 10 percent ny 2023.