Some mining companies have teamed up with organized crime groups to forcibly displace people from areas rich in minerals, including lithium, according to J. Jesús Lemus.
Mexican Crime Syndicates Partner with Mining Companies
J. Jesús Lemus, author of the book “La guerra del litio. Cómo la masacre LeBarón reveló la complicidad entre mineros, el narco y el estado mexicano para apoderarse de un metal,” claims that sectors of organized crime in Mexico have allied with transnational mining groups to force population displacement in resource-rich regions.
Who is J. Jesús Lemus?
J. Jesús Lemus is a Mexican author known for his investigative work on the intersection of crime, mining, and government corruption. His book “La guerra del litio” sheds light on the violent struggle for control of Mexico’s lithium resources.
Lithium Extraction and Forced Displacement
Lemus asserts that the potential for lithium extraction in regions like Bavispe, Sonora, has fueled the greed of mining companies and criminal organizations. This allegedly led to the murder of nine members of the LeBarón family in November 2019.
Evidence of Lithium Deposits in Mexico
According to Lemus, the Servicio Geológico Mexicano reported in 1982 that Mexico could be the world’s tenth-largest lithium reserve. There are approximately 300 sites of potential lithium extraction, but the Mexican government has kept most hidden, only disclosing 82 locations.
Why are only 82 lithium-rich sites publicly known?
Lemus suggests that the Mexican government is deliberately concealing lithium-rich sites to allow privileged individuals or entities to invest in the sector, fostering a new business group under the Fourth Transformation.
Legal Status of Lithium Resources
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s decree supposedly nationalized lithium, but it actually created a Mexican company to exploit lithium in partnership with private or social entities.
Does Litio MX meet the requirements for lithium exploitation?
Litio MX does not require technical capabilities; instead, it relies on private or official partners for investment and expertise.
Criminal Involvement in Mining
Lemus argues that mining companies have long collaborated with drug cartels, using them as enforcers for population displacement through fear and violence.
Why not collaborate with authorities instead of criminals?
Collaborating with authorities involves more time-consuming processes, such as consultations and community engagement, which mining companies and the Mexican government are reluctant to undertake due to strong anti-mining sentiment and media scrutiny.
Evidence of criminal-mining associations
Lemus points to the LeBarón family murders as evidence of criminal-mining collusion. Investigations reveal associations between criminal groups and mining companies targeting resource-rich areas.
LeBarón family case explanation
The LeBarón family, residents of La Morita, a Mormon community in lithium-rich regions of Sonora and Chihuahua, became targets of violence to instill fear and force their displacement. Following the murders, around 70 Mormon families left for the United States.
Current Situation in La Morita
Approximately 12 LeBarón family descendants remain in La Morita, despite the risks associated with their continued presence in the lithium-rich area.
Mining Conflicts in Mexico
Lemus reports that there are currently 906 mining conflict zones involving 906 sites with homicides, including mass killings. Before the LeBarón case, there were 70 homicides of three or more people in mining areas. After the LeBarón case, there were 12 additional homicides in mining regions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What does Lemus’s book offer? It provides a detailed examination of the connection between drug trafficking and mining in Mexico, highlighting how this relationship fuels violence.
- What evidence is there of lithium deposits in Mexico? The Servicio Geológico Mexicano reported in 1982 that Mexico could be a significant lithium reserve. There are around 300 potential extraction sites, but only 82 have been publicly disclosed.
- Why are only 82 lithium-rich sites publicly known? The Mexican government is allegedly concealing these sites to enable privileged investors to capitalize on lithium exploitation.
- What is the legal status of lithium resources in Mexico? President López Obrador’s decree created a Mexican company to exploit lithium in partnership with private or social entities, not nationalizing it.
- Does Litio MX meet the requirements for lithium exploitation? No, it relies on private or official partners for technical capabilities and investment.
- Why do mining companies collaborate with criminals instead of authorities? Collaborating with authorities involves more time-consuming processes, such as consultations and community engagement, which mining companies and the Mexican government are reluctant to undertake.
- What evidence is there of criminal-mining associations? Investigations reveal associations between criminal groups and mining companies targeting resource-rich areas, as seen in the LeBarón family murders.
- What explains the LeBarón family murders? The LeBarón family was targeted to instill fear and force their displacement from lithium-rich regions.
- What is the current situation in La Morita? Approximately 12 LeBarón family descendants remain in La Morita, despite the risks associated with their continued presence in the lithium-rich area.
- How many mining conflict zones are there in Mexico? There are currently 906 mining conflict zones involving 906 sites with homicides, including mass killings.
