(CNN Spanish) — The President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced on national television on Sunday that he would ask the Electoral Tribunal to convene a popular consultation on Sunday, December 17 to decide whether or not to repeal Law 406, which governs the contract between the State Panamanian. and the Minera Panamá company for copper exploitation.

For the past week, several unions and social organizations have led protests in Panama, arguing, among other allegations, that the Minera Panamá concession generates environmental damage.

In a message addressed to the country, the president declared that he understood “the clamor of the voices which are expressed” and that he would submit the law contract to popular consultation so that “the will of the majority is expressed the most democratic way.

“Thanks to citizen participation, through voting, we will be able to legitimize the will of the people, the result of which will be obligatory. The people are the sovereign,” Cortizo said in his third message to the country in less than a week.

The president also announced that a nationwide ban on metal mining would be enacted, although he did not provide details. Cortizo signed a decree on Friday prohibiting the granting of new concessions. This announcement, however, failed to put an end to the protests.

The controversial mining contract

The new concession contract approved by law and promulgated on Friday October 20 with the company Minera Panamá, belonging to the Canadian company First Quantum Minerals, is concluded for 20 years, with the possibility of renewing it for an additional 20 years.

Its critics, including unions, professionals, religious groups, environmentalists and non-governmental organizations, reject it on the grounds that it does not represent the best interests of the country and endangers the environment and biodiversity, among other considerations.

Until a few days ago, Cortizo defended it, saying that it was an agreement that had been negotiated for two years and that had achieved better benefits and conditions for the country.

Minera Panamá remains silent in the face of the protests, despite several requests from CNN. But in a press release last Monday, he recalled that the contract had already been in force since October 20. The company is committed to meeting its contractual obligations and responsibly managing the mine, including positive impacts on the workforce, neighboring communities and the environment.

CNN also asked Minera Panamá for their reaction to the president’s announcement, they promised to do the consultation, but there was no response.

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice last week admitted two lawsuits for unconstitutionality against the mining contracts law. Through a statement, the court explained that the first step is for the Attorney of the Administration of Panama to issue an opinion on each of them, for which it has a deadline not exceeding 10 working days. The process then continues in court.