Shares in Inmet, (a subsidiary of Minera Panama, operating in Petaquilla) dropped by 3.7% yesterday in the Toronto Stock Exchange, following the repeal of reforms to the mining code. According to a report by Reuters, this means that the value of Inmet Shares dropped to 66.55 Canadian Dollars or 68.40 American dollars.

Source: The daily-La Estrella.

05/03/2011. The drop in shares came about following the announcement of a repeal of Law no: 8 by the Republic’s President Ricardo Minelli. This law reformed the Code of Mining Resources and so could affect the financial and expansion plans of the business in question.

RESIDENTS DENOUNCE PETAQUILLA ABUSES.

Following eight days of protests against mining in the Donosa district, in the vicinity of Coclesito, the authorities and the security officers of Petaquilla Gold, Minera Panama, assaulted the peasants who were protesting against the pollution caused by this company in the area.

Last Thursday, the governor of Colon Province, turned up in person so as to clear the highway according to the ex-representative of Coclesito, Toribio Valdes. “A member of his security escort assaulted and ill-treated protestor Digno Herrera without any consideration of his disabilities and they threw him onto the back of a lorry like an animal” Said Valdes.

Ex-representative Valdes also declared that right from the very beginning, the conduct of the Parish Priest of Santo Cristo, Saturnino Gonzalez of Coclesito, has been to favour Petaquilla Gold and Minera Panama, who have made contributions to the church.

The peasant and indigenous populations confirm that they will not be intimidated and will continue their fight until the district of Donoso is free from mining.