Social peace more important than mining law changes – Minister

(PanamaNewsRoom) “Social peace” has outweighed “necessity” when it come to mining law reforms according to a Panamanian government minister.

After weeks of protests led by indigenous people, against Law 8, which amended the Mining Code, the government climbed down and the changes  they originally claimed were supported by 80% of the population,  are about to become history.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Roberto Henríquez presented a draft law Friday which cancelled the reforms to the mining laws approved by the government in February after being rushed through the National assembly withj virtually no debate. 
"We continue to believe that it was necessary, but we decided to choose social peace," said Henriquez. 
He added that by cancelling the reforms, which would have allowed foreign governments to invest in mining projects in Panama, the government can now focus on other projects such as the Metro and social programs.

"We could not could force the situation if the majority of the people rejected it".