The company received notice confirming the lifting of a temporary suspension of mining by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Panama (MINSA). The operation had been in a preservation and save maintenance phase since early April.

First Quantum had been working with government regulators for a gradual restart.

With Cobre Panama now back online, crews will follow a reopening plan that offers a phased increase of on-site personnel while simultaneously ramping up production to 85 million tonnes throughput per year.

"There are currently approximately 800 personnel onsite, which will be gradually increased in compliance with Cobre Panama's reopening plan and in line with MINSA guidelines," management said.

The ramp up to full production levels should be complete by mid-August.