Panama's Supreme Court has unanimously declared a 20-year concession for a Canadian copper mine that had sparked weeks of protests as unconstitutional.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama’s Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously declared unconstitutional a 20-year concession for a Canadian copper mine that had sparked weeks of protests by environmentalists and others who argued it would damage a forested coastal area and threaten water supplies.

The announcement by the nine-justice court, after four days of deliberations, set off cheers among demonstrators waiting outside and waving Panamanian flags.