The mining industry in Mexico is affected by the anticipated reduction of investments for 2025 due to restrictions imposed on exploration and the suspension of new concessions by the Mexican government. The president of the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex), Pedro Rivero, noted during the presentation of the 'Sustainability Report 2024' that a significant decrease in investment is expected, dropping from 5 billion dollars in 2024 to 3.8 billion dollars in the next year.
In a context where Mexican authorities have halted the issuance of new concessions for mining exploration and have advocated for a ban on open-pit mining, Camimex highlights in its most recent report that there are around 23,000 mining concessions in Mexico, occupying 6.86% of the national territory, while only 0.08% is in productive process.
Rivero emphasized the importance of reactivating mining exploration to maintain the operability and growth of the sector. Despite efforts to engage in dialogue with authorities, he urges the government to expedite permit processes to ensure the continuity of mining activities.
Additionally, he pointed out that mining in Mexico contributes to the economic, social, and environmental development of the country, focusing on responsible production of essential minerals and positive interaction with communities and the natural environment. The mining sector is vital for providing inputs for clean energy technologies and for the progress of multiple productive sectors.
Mining companies affiliated with Camimex committed around 6.988 billion pesos (about 350.3 million dollars) in 2023 for actions aimed at protecting the environment. This reflects their commitment to combating climate change and reducing the water footprint, highlighting that a significant percentage of the water used in mining processes comes from recycled sources.
A relevant aspect is the drive towards clean energy sources, where 35% of the total energy consumption of the sector comes from clean energies, with the goal of raising this figure to 46% by 2030. The mining industry generates around 416,875 direct jobs and nearly 2.6 million indirect jobs, with salaries 33.2% higher than the national average.
The report highlights the commitment of mining to gender equity and inclusion, showing a 90% increase in the participation of women in the sector over the last 12 years, reaching 18% of the workforce in 2023, which demonstrates a significant change in the industry.
