(Newsroom Panama) The slow pace of the bill to repeal the controversial mining rules law 8 , has angered leaders of leaders of the indigenous groups who spearheaded the weeks long protests against the reforms.
They pledged to resume protests if the measure does not get third reading on Friday.
The National Assembly in the second reading after a four-hour debate. The drawn out debate upset indigenous leaders who have called for a cancellation of existing mine projects and a halt to hydro electric development on their lands.
Indigenous leader Rogelio Montezuma said that the assembly has snubbed the groups, forbidding entry to the chamber while the measure was being debated,
President Ricardo Martinelli says that discussions about the mining reforms will not have an impact on hydro projects.