Zacatecas Reinforces its Position as the Mining Hub
Zacatecas is a cornerstone of Mexico’s mining and metallurgical industry, being the primary producer of gold, silver, lead, and zinc. According to the Minerometalurgical Industry Statistics (EIMM) published by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), Zacatecas maintained its leading position in the mining sector during April of the previous year.
Production Highlights
- Zinc production increased by 15.6% annually, reaching 42,700 tonnes.
- Lead production grew by 5.2%, totaling 14,267 tonnes.
- Although silver production remained the highest at 172,687 kilograms, it saw a 2.6% interannual decline.
- Gold production, also at the top, dropped 4.8% with 3,109 kilograms obtained in the state.
Guerrero stood out as a positive exception in gold production, with an 11.3% increase and 1,566 kilograms achieved. Chihuahua, along with Guerrero, was the only entity to see an increase in silver production (1.3%) but declines of 1.6% in gold and 9.2% in zinc.
Challenges Facing the Mining Sector
The mining sector faces uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions and unclear national regulations, particularly regarding water usage, the ban on open-pit mining, and negotiations with communal landholders. These factors have limited investment plans. Moreover, insecurity and rising service and input costs negatively affected operations in various regions of the country, according to Banco de México’s (Banxico) Regional Economies Report for the first quarter of 2025.
Rubén del Pozo, President of the Association of Mining, Metallurgical and Geological Engineers of Mexico (AIMMGM), stated to El Economista: “Exploration is stalled; we are waiting for the secondary laws (of the Mining Law) to be finalized, which will enable us to address exploration with greater security. We need to create conditions of credibility and confidence so that investment arrives and does not go elsewhere.”
Regulatory Progress
Fernando José Aboitiz, head of the Coordination Unit for Extractive Activities at the Secretariat of Economy (SE), informed media that the Mining Law’s regulations, which were reformed in 2023, are currently under review by the secretariat’s legal area and will be reviewed with the Presidency’s Legal Advisory Council.
“We released the regulations about a month and a half ago, and we are waiting for the final comments to process them,” Aboitiz said. “In a couple of months, we could have the final document.”
In recent months, 56 operation permits have been released, accounting for 35% of the remaining total, under a new scheme requiring exploration agreements with Mexico’s Geological Service. Subsequently, there have been more state-participation auctions.
Meanwhile, existing concessions can continue operating and opening new mines under the current legal framework, according to the head of the SE’s Extractive Activities Coordination Unit.
Positive Performance
Despite the challenges, Mexico’s mining and metallurgical production increased by 8.5% annually during April of the current year. During the first quarter of 2025, operational improvements were achieved in Zacatecas and Durango mines through technology integration and acquiring environmental permits, resulting in record-breaking production levels.
The rise in international prices of industrial and precious metals, such as gold, silver, copper, and manganese ferroalloys, boosted the sector’s activity, as noted in Banxico’s report.
Looking Ahead
Rubén del Pozo anticipates that by the International Mining Convention 2025 in November, legislative advances will provide certainty to the sector. He expressed optimism that mining will become a strong pillar for Mexico’s development, with this year’s focus on the mining industry and the Mexican mineral value chain.
