Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. (fka PTQMF)

[Chileanmafia]

You hit the nail on the head - there are groups here that do not want things to change - especially in the agricultural sector - these guys pay people peanuts and present some of the biggest opposition to mining - not because mining is bad - but because it impacts their interest - meaning that they think they will loose workers to higher paying mining jobs. Then there is the Church - it's amazing how some of these guys preach about mining - scaring the crap out of people and not wanting to see people in the rural areas develop - they are in the front lines of the groups against mining.

Panama is also a place where a person is murdered every 20 hours and we lose almost 500 people year from accidents on the Panamerican Hwy - now the majority of these murders are drug related - but when you compare this stat with developed countries it leaves you wondering....

The good thing I have noticed is that Panama takes the protection of tourists very seriously and the police are everywhere - so that is a good thing.

I agree with you if Inmet can finally get things moving - the industry is really going jump here - PTQ is tiny project in comparison, but as soon as this one and then Cerro Colorado move forward - this will become a mining nation.

As for Martinelli - he has a clear plan:

1. Crush the opposition and any threats to his power
2. Get re-elected
3. Make lots of cash

The only way that will happen is if mining moves forward in Panama - so he will support our industry

I also agree that Panama is not 'Heaven on Earth" but it is a good place to be - like everywhere you have to be careful and remember that when you buy real estate here there are three prices:

1. The Gringo Price
2. The Spanish Speaker Price (Latin Price)
3. The Local Price

If you ever decide to buy a place here in Panama with your PTQ windfall make sure that you have a company own it - because if you ever get sued they can't get your asset - as well a company will always have more legal rights then you will ever have here - so its just a good way to do thing..