CAMIMEX, CANCHAM Push TSM Integration in Mining Sector

CAMIMEX and CANCHAM are formalizing the “Towards Sustainable Mining” (TSM) standard in Mexico to align the sector with the Mexico-Canada Action Plan 2025–2028 and North American ESG requirements. The mandatory framework aims to ease diplomatic and social tensions over environmental compliance and community relations through verifiable, facility-level reporting and advisory panels. The shift is seen as key to securing Canadian investment and strengthening the long-term reliability of critical mineral supply chains essential to the regional energy transition.

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The Mining Chamber of Mexico (CAMIMEX) and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico (CANCHAM) convened industrial leaders and government officials for the technical workshop "Conscious Mining: Implementation of the TSM Standard in Mexico." This training session serves as a platform to advance integration of North American mining operations, with a focus on adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards across Mexico’s extractive sector.

The workshop marks a key step in the binational alignment of industry standards. In March 2023, CAMIMEX signed a licensing agreement to adopt the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) standard, a performance-based framework developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). In October 2025, members of CANCHAM’s Mining Executive Committee formally committed to implementing the standard across all operational stages, including exploration, production and mine closure. Participating companies will gradually integrate TSM protocols into their management systems to align with both Mexican regulations and international benchmarks.

The initiative aligns with Point 8, “Joint Action on Responsible Mining,” of the Mexico-Canada Action Plan 2025–2028, announced during the September 2025 meeting between President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Francisco Cervantes, president, Business Coordinating Council (CCE), said the agreement responds to a joint call from both governments to strengthen environmental and community safeguards in the mining sector.

During the opening ceremony at the Mining Cultural Center, Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, Cameron MacKay, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative. “TSM is key because it offers concrete, measurable and verifiable tools for companies to advance toward best practices year after year,” he said, adding that the framework helps ensure Canadian investment contributes positively to local communities and long-term development.

Originally launched in 2004, the TSM standard is structured around three pillars: Communities and People, Environmental Stewardship, and Energy Efficiency. Each includes performance indicators requiring mining operations to measure and publicly report their practices. Unlike traditional certifications, TSM mandates site-level reporting and external verification every three years to ensure transparency and data integrity.

Fernando Aboitiz, head of the Extractive Activities Coordination Unit at Mexico’s Ministry of Economy, said the government views mining development through the lens of high social and environmental standards. He described collaboration between CAMIMEX and CANCHAM as a necessary step to strengthen sustainability, particularly as North America seeks to secure supply chains for critical minerals tied to the energy transition.

Karen Flores, director general, CAMIMEX, emphasized the timing of the initiative. “Today more than ever, given the growing demand for critical minerals, responsible mining requires clear criteria for sustainability, transparency and continuous improvement,” she said. Flores added that the TSM framework helps meet the expectations of global investors and industrial clients increasingly focused on ESG performance.

Ben Chalmers, senior vice president, Mining Association of Canada, led the technical sessions, explaining that TSM is designed to improve performance from the mine site to the corporate level. “It helps us tell a story based on data across each protocol that makes up the standard,” he said. Pierre Gratton, president and CEO, MAC, also issued a statement recognizing Canadian companies in Mexico for adopting the framework.

Carla Bustillos, director general, CANCHAM, described TSM as a roadmap for strengthening competitiveness and trust in the sector. She said the organization aims to facilitate the transfer of Canadian technical expertise to Mexico and support companies in implementing measurable ESG standards.

Scrutiny Over Canadian Mining Footprint

The push for standardized ESG reporting comes amid increased scrutiny of Canadian mining operations in Mexico. During his September 2025 visit, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada would review whether its mining companies comply with local environmental regulations. In meetings with President Sheinbaum, Carney requested a list of firms allegedly failing to meet requirements set by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and pledged to push for compliance with mitigation and remediation measures.

The issue was also raised during an August 2025 visit by Canadian officials, when Sheinbaum stressed the need to address environmental impacts linked to mining projects. “We discussed the damages caused by these companies in Mexico and the need for them to comply with environmental impact assessment requirements,” she said at the time.

Civil society organizations have continued to raise concerns. The Mexican Network of People Affected by Mining (REMA) has criticized the role of Canadian companies, arguing that enforcement actions can be limited by the risk of trade disputes and the scale of Canadian investment in the sector. The group has cited the case of Almaden Minerals, which initiated international arbitration after the Mexican government halted the Ixtaca project and revoked concessions.

Other organizations, including the Toronto-based Justice and Corporate Accountability Project (JCAP), have pointed to unresolved cases such as the killing of activist Mariano Abarca in Chiapas following protests against a mine operated by Blackfire Exploration. Allegations surrounding that case continue to fuel skepticism about voluntary corporate responsibility frameworks.

In response to these concerns, TSM guidelines require the creation of Community Advisory Panels composed of representatives from Indigenous groups, local communities, NGOs and labor organizations. These panels are designed to support dialogue, identify emerging risks and promote higher standards of accountability through direct engagement between companies and stakeholders.