Petaquilla Cyanide Containment Pool at Capacity

The Molejon containment pool, where cyanide-laced water and sludge are treated, has reached its tipping point and has paralyzed mine production since Wednesday.

For the gold mine, operated by Petaquilla Minerals in the Province of Colon, an overflow could mean poisoning the surrounding wooded areas, rivers and communities.

The company agreed yesterday that the pool is at full capacity but downplayed the issue saying it’s normal during the rainy season.

“There have been no spills and no release of cyanide,” a director of the company said.

However, Petaquilla could not deny that production is stopped until a support pond is finished, something which should have reportedly been completed before the mine began commercial operations in January.

Aerial view of Petaquilla leaching pool / PHOTO La Prensa David Mesa

La Prensa reports.