Mexico is a country with vast mineral wealth, with gold standing out among its most valuable resources. This metal is primarily concentrated in five states, which has made these regions attractive for mining investment, both domestic and foreign.
Dozens of international companies have established operations in Mexico to exploit a variety of minerals, including gold, silver, and copper. Some Chinese companies have even shown interest in lithium extraction, despite the fact that this mineral was recently declared a public utility and is subject to a nationalization process.
Mining activity in Mexico has historical roots dating back to the colonial era, when mining was consolidated as the viceroyalty’s main economic activity, with significant silver and gold production that marked the economic direction of the region.
However, this mineral wealth does not always translate into benefits for the communities near the deposits. A clear example of this is Zacatecas, home to the country’s largest gold mine, but also one of the states with the highest poverty rates in Mexico.
States with the Highest Gold Production in Mexico
Context: According to data from the Mexican Government, the states with the highest share of gold production in 2023 were:
Sonora: 28.7%
Zacatecas: 22.3%
Guerrero: 15.1%
Durango: 13.9%
Chihuahua: 12.0%
Other states: 7.9%
The country’s most important gold deposits are located primarily in the Sierra Madre Occidental. These deposits, mostly composed of rhyolitic and andesitic rocks, are intruded by quartz-monzonitic porphyry bodies, and their mineralization includes quartz veins, stockworks, breccias, and porphyries.
Major Gold Mines in Mexico
Some of the country’s most notable gold mines include:
Peñasquito (Zacatecas) – Operated by Newmont
El Limón-Guajes (Guerrero) – Operated by Torex Gold
La Herradura (Sonora) – Operated by Fresnillo
Dolores (Chihuahua) – Operated by Pan American Silver
Los Filos (Guerrero) – Operated by Equinox Gold
Pinos Altos (Chihuahua) – Operated by Agnico Eagle Mines
Mulatos (Sonora) – Operated by Alamos Gold
Palmajero (Chihuahua) – Operated by Coeur Mining
Noche Buena (Zacatecas) – Operated by Fresnillo plc
Saucito (Zacatecas) – Operated by Fresnillo plc
San Dimas (Durango, Sinaloa) – Operated by First Majestic Silver
El Herrero (Durango) – Operated by Minas de Bacis
La Colorada (Sonora) – Operated by Argonaut
San Julián (Chihuahua) – Operated by Fresnillo plc
Concheño (Chihuahua) – Operated by Minera Frisco
Environmental Impact of Mining in Mexico
Despite being an important source of income and employment, mining in Mexico generates serious environmental impacts. Water pollution from the use of chemicals such as cyanide and mercury affects rivers and groundwater. Furthermore, mining destroys ecosystems and reduces biodiversity, especially in open-pit mining areas. It also contributes to air pollution and the generation of toxic waste (mine tailings), which contaminates soils and water bodies, while the consumption of large quantities of water exacerbates scarcity in arid regions.
The social impact is also considerable, as communities near mines suffer the consequences of pollution and, in many cases, displacement. Despite the existence of laws to protect the environment, the lack of effective enforcement and corruption make it easy for many mining projects to continue without adequate guarantees of safety and sustainability.
To mitigate these effects, it is urgent to move toward more responsible mining, with stricter regulations and the use of cleaner and more sustainable technologies.
Source: lasillarota
