MINING POLICY FRAMEWORK ASSESSMENT Mexico

The assessment finds that while Mexico possesses strong geological data and technical environmental regulations, it lacks a comprehensive national mining policy and suffers from an outdated Mining Law. Key weaknesses include inadequate consultation with Indigenous Peoples, a lack of financial assurance for mine closures, and a neglected artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. The report recommends modernizing the legal framework, improving the distribution of financial benefits to local communities, and establishing robust mine closure regulations.

• Mexico lacks a nationwide mining policy and strategic planning, with the mining industry excluded from the National Development Plan for 2019–2024.
• The 1992 Mining Law is considered outdated and fails to incorporate international best practices regarding social issues, mine closure, and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
• Consultation processes with communities and Indigenous Peoples are not proactive and do not align with international standards; Mexico lacks a specific law to regulate prior Indigenous consultation.
• Financial benefits from mining do not consistently reach mine-hosting communities or mining authorities, and the Mining Fund, which previously transferred revenues to municipalities, was dissolved in November 2020.
• Mine closure regulations are inadequate, lacking a specific regulatory framework, institutional capacity for monitoring, and mandatory financial assurances to prevent environmental liabilities.
• The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector is largely neglected, characterized by a lack of specific regulations, insufficient data, and risks of serious environmental and safety impacts.
• Mexico has strong technical capabilities in geological information, with the Mexican Geological Survey (SGM) providing comprehensive and accessible data.
• Environmental monitoring is inadequate due to budget cuts and a lack of personnel and specialized training within PROFEPA.
• There is significant legal and political uncertainty for investors due to a de facto moratorium on new mining concessions since 2019 and inconsistencies in permitting processes.

APA

Segura, P. G., Robledo, E., Ruete, M., & Grossi, A. V. (2022). MINING POLICY FRAMEWORK ASSESSMENT Mexico. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/mexico-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf

Chicago

Segura, Paloma García, Epitacio Robledo, Marina Ruete, and Alejandro Vio Grossi. MINING POLICY FRAMEWORK ASSESSMENT Mexico. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/mexico-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Segura |first1=Paloma García |last2=Robledo |first2=Epitacio |last3=Ruete |first3=Marina |last4=Grossi |first4=Alejandro Vio |title=MINING POLICY FRAMEWORK ASSESSMENT Mexico |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=April 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/mexico-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{segura2022mining, author = {Segura, Paloma García and Robledo, Epitacio and Ruete, Marina and Grossi, Alejandro Vio}, title = {{MINING POLICY FRAMEWORK ASSESSMENT Mexico}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-11/mexico-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }