Mining In Mexico

Is it worth it?

Abstract

The mining activity, due to its practices and the impact it has caused in different areas, has been as relevant as controversial. The text analyzes the current context of Mexico, in the economic, political, social and environmental dimensions. There is a brief historical summary that allows locating the approach of overflexibilization and promotion of foreign investment in mining, from which the institutional framework is forged, as well as the economic conditions that motivate this approach, which has caused that a good part of the territory is concessioned for mining exploration and exploitation, demanding ridiculous payments. Knowing that mining activities have physically, environmentally and socially devastating effects (some inescapable and some others potential), there is not yet an institutional framework that balances, with equity and justice, the attraction of investment in mining, with sufficient tax burden, that guarantees the best use of resources, and minimizes the negative impacts on the environment and society. In an uneven balance, the mining capital is given an advantage, leaving aside the communities, which lead to the urgency to review the mining exploitation scheme in Mexico in view of a new country project.