Camimex‘s affiliated companies have 124 mining and metallurgical operations in 24 Mexican states.
Of this total, 53 are subway, 34 are open-pit, 6 are mixed and 31 are plants.
The type of mine -underground or open pit- is developed according to the geological characteristics of the deposit.
Camimex also highlights that Mexico has great mining potential.
In addition to contributing to the creation of jobs, generating welfare and development in more than 690 communities, attracting investments and contributing to the payment of taxes, the mining industry supplies raw materials to the entire national production chain.
In 2022, five minerals contributed 86.3% of the total national mining-metallurgical production. These are: gold (30.6%), copper (27.2%), silver (17.6%), zinc (7.1%) and iron pellets (3.8 percent).
Although the Foreign Investment Law provides that mining concessions may also be obtained by foreign citizens or foreign companies, the Mexican Mining Law provides that such concessions may only be granted to Mexican citizens or Mexican companies.
Thus, foreign citizens or foreign companies may only obtain mining concessions by establishing a subsidiary in Mexico.
Mining operations
In April 2023, the Mexican government implemented several changes to the country’s mining laws.
One key change reduced the maximum duration of new mining concessions from 50 to 30 years. Additionally, obtaining water extraction permits has become more restricted. A new tax on mining profits was also introduced to benefit local communities.
The revised law grants authorities the power to cancel concessions if they remain unused for two years.
Furthermore, foreign investment in Mexican mining companies must meet specific requirements established by the Foreign Investment Law.
Foreign investment of up to 100% in Mexican mining companies is permitted.
Companies with foreign investment in their capital stock are required to register with the National Registry of Foreign Investment, managed by the Ministry of Economy.
These companies must also submit specific reports and notices. Depending on the circumstances and the criteria outlined in the Foreign Investment Law, they may need to provide an annual report and/or quarterly reports detailing operations conducted during the previous fiscal year.
This reporting is essential for renewing their registration certificate in the registry.