What Happened
Cobre Panamá presented a virtual reality experience at the David International Fair that has become one of the event’s most visited spaces. In the first few days of the fair the stand exceeded 5,000 visitors, and more than 500 people used the virtual reality simulator to interact with simulations of equipment used during the project’s production stage.
Details of the Exhibit
The exhibit is located at the main entrance of the venue in the David Building (stands 20, 21, 22 and 23). The space allows visitors not only to observe but to interact with simulations that recreate the operation of key equipment. According to Cobre Panamá, the hands-on virtual reality simulator enables participants to see and experience how a modern mine operates through technology.
“More than 5,000 people have visited in just a few days, and that confirms something very clear: there is interest in understanding. When people can see, interact, and experience, the conversation changes completely. That is the value of launching this technology at the David Fair,” said Maru Gálvez, Public Relations Manager for Cobre Panamá.
Background
Cobre Panamá’s exhibit presents elements from the project’s production stage and aims to bring mining processes closer to the public in an accessible, participatory format. The use of virtual reality and interactive displays is intended to make technical operations easier for non-specialists to follow and discuss.
What This Means
The strong turnout at the David International Fair suggests significant local interest in learning about mining operations when information is presented through immersive, technological formats. Cobre Panamá described the initiative as setting a new standard for how the industry communicates with the public—moving from passive observation to direct engagement that can spur conversation and understanding.
By placing the simulator at a prominent location within the fair and enabling hands-on interaction, the company is focusing on transparency and outreach. Organizers and participants say the approach helps demystify equipment and production processes and may change how people approach discussions about mining projects.
Next Steps
The exhibit’s early visitor numbers point to continued interest as the fair progresses. Cobre Panamá’s experience at the David Fair highlights how immersive technology can be used in public outreach to explain complex industrial processes in a clear, participatory way.