First Quantum Minerals Finalizes Draft Concession Agreement With Government of Panamá on Future of Cobre Panamá
08 Mars 2023 - 3:28PM
First Quantum Minerals Finalizes Draft Concession Agreement With
Government of Panamá on Future of Cobre Panamá
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum” or the “Company”),
today announced that its Panamanian subsidiary, Minera Panamá, S.A.
(“MPSA”), has agreed and finalized the draft of a concession
contract (the “Proposed Concession Contract”) with the Government
of Panamá (the “Government”) for the Cobre Panamá mine.
The Proposed Concession Contract meets the
objectives outlined by the Government in January 2022 related to
government revenues, environmental protections and labour
standards. It also provides legal protections necessary to both
parties to ensure durability and stability. The Proposed Concession
Contract is subject to a 30-day public consultation process and
approvals by the Panamanian Cabinet, Comptroller General of the
Republic and the National Assembly. The Proposed Concession
Contract will have an initial 20-year term, with a 20-year
extension option and additional extensions for the life of
mine.
Additionally, the Panamá Maritime Authority has
confirmed that it will issue a resolution today for MPSA to resume
concentrate loading operations at the Punta Rincón port. Ore
processing is expected to resume and restore the mine to full
production levels over the next several days.
Tristan Pascall, Chief Executive Officer, said,
“After a lengthy and arduous negotiation process, the finalized
Proposed Concession Contract outlines the basis for the future of
Cobre Panamá for all stakeholders, including the Government, our
investors and the country of Panamá. I am pleased that we now have
a pathway to continuing our ongoing substantial investments in the
country. I wish to thank our Panamanian and international employees
and their families and our suppliers for their patience and
resilience during this time. We now await formal approval of the
Proposed Concession Contract and look forward to a long and
constructive partnership with the Government of Panamá for many
years to come.”
The Proposed Concession Contract will include
the following principal economic terms once it takes effect:
- Payment by MPSA of $375 million plus an additional $20 million
to cover taxes and royalties up to the year end 2022
- Payment by MPSA starting in 2023 of an annual minimum
contribution of $375 million in Government income, comprised of
corporate taxes, withholding taxes and a profit-based mineral
royalty of 12 to 16 percent, with downside protections
- Downside protections to the annual minimum contribution under
the following conditions:
- Until the end of 2025, copper price below $3.25 per pound
- From 2026 and beyond, a total tax contribution for that year of
less than $300 million
- Applicable royalty rate at various operating margins as shown
below:
|
Operating Margin |
Effective Royalty Rate |
|
|
0% - 20% |
12% |
|
|
>20% - 30% |
13% |
|
|
>30% - 40% |
14% |
|
|
>40% - 50% |
15% |
|
|
> 50% |
16% |
|
- Application of the general regime of income tax, including
deductions for depletion, and withholding taxes in Panamá.
For further information, visit our website at
www.first-quantum.com or contact:
Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations (416)
361-6400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577E-Mail: info@fqml.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION
Certain statements and information herein,
including all statements that are not historical facts, contain
forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within
the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking
statements in this news release include statements as to the
Proposed Concession Contract meeting the Government’s objectives as
to revenues, environmental protections and labour standards and
containing long-term legal protections necessary and the effects
thereof; the Proposed Concession Contract being subject to a public
consultation process and to approvals by the Panamanian Cabinet,
Comptroller General and National Assembly; the initial term and
extension term of the Proposed Concession Contract; the principal
terms of the Proposed Concession Contract such as the annual
minimum contribution by MPSA of US$375 million, the applicable
royalty rate and downside protections for copper price or copper
production levels; and the expected timing of commencement of
concentrate loading operations at Punta Rincón and of full
restoration of production at Cobre Panamá. With respect to
forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the
Company has made numerous assumptions, including as to the receipt
of necessary approvals of the Proposed Concession Contract and the
ability of the Company to remobilize its workforce and to obtain
supplies and services from local Panamanian companies.
Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are
based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements or information. These factors
include, but are not limited to, political stability in Panamá,
potential social and environmental challenges, and events generally
impacting global economic, political and social stability. There
may also be other factors that cause actual results, performance,
achievements or events not as anticipated, estimated or intended,
including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in
the Company’s Annual Information Form. The Company undertakes no
obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or
information as a result of new information or events after the date
hereof except as may be required by law.
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