The Canadian copper giant said it is pursuing two arbitration claims to resolve trade claims with Panama, where protests and legal opposition have waylaid a major mine. CEO Tristan Pascall said in a conference call that the miner would prefer to work out a resolution directly with the Panamanian government instead of arbitration. (The Logic)

Talking point: In its fourth-quarter earnings report, the company said it faces a “going concern” risk following the shutdown of its Cobre Panamá mine. The Vancouver miner warned the closure has impacted whether it can earn enough to cover the debt ratio required in its senior banking facilities after copper production fell 28 per cent in the fourth quarter. Pascall said in a release that while there’s no mining at the Panama site, blockades around the mine have “dissipated.” First Quantum also announced a $500-million prepayment deal with China-based Jiangxi Copper, part of a three-year deal to buy copper anodes.