Q: What makes Sinaloa a region with potential for successful mining operations, and how does it differ from other mining destinations such as Sonora or Zacatecas? 

HR: Sinaloa currently offers a significant exploration opportunity. It is a state with great potential, yet largely underexplored systematically from north to south, holding vast deposits of silver, gold, copper, and polymetallic ores. Its mining tradition, dating back to the Spanish colonial era, makes it highly attractive. Its hidden discovery potential could contribute substantial future mineral production, positioning Mexico among the top global mining producers again. 

Q: How has CLUMISIN worked to promote the state as an ideal mining destination? 

HR: We share relevant information on mining legislation, security, environmental issues, and exploration, promoting local projects through events and digital platforms. Collaboration helps us highlight Sinaloa's advantages. We promote significant projects like those of Vizsla Silver, GR Silver, Oroco Resources, and Prime Mining. These projects have elevated Sinaloa’s profile, putting us on the national and international mining map. 

CLUMISIN also collaborates with the state government and other associations, such as CAMIMEX, to publicize Sinaloa's geological potential beyond the state. Despite security challenges, which other states also face, work continues and investment flows in, proving progress is achievable here.

JC: The Mining Cluster has been effective in disseminating, promoting, and securing agreements with different entities. Also, our conventions are a key highlight. The recent Discoveries Mining Conference 2025 event just concluded, and in 2026, we will host two major conventions in Mazatlan, Discoveries and the AIMMGM’s Sinaloa biannual International Mining Convention. 

CLUMISIN actively supports these conventions through conference programs, business meetings, and training sessions. We especially emphasize business networking, helping our suppliers connect with mining companies. CLUMISIN is flexible; our suppliers come from various states, including Sonora and Zacatecas. We facilitate their promotion and connection with mining projects virtually and at physical conventions. Our openness with suppliers has been a key factor in our success.

HR: A key factor is our team's collaborative work and outreach in Sinaloa. We prioritize joint efforts with partners, including geological associations, government bodies, and other industry chambers like FIFOMI, CAMIMEX, and now CANCHAM. Our activities include disseminating training, hosting talks, showcasing products, and promoting our members, even including non-members. The core element in successfully promoting Sinaloa through CLUMISIN and its supply and consumption chains is openness.

We seek partnerships with other institutions. For example, we are reactivating a pending agreement with Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (UAS) that had been delayed. We always view collaboration very positively and are open to formalizing agreements with state government bodies, universities, and even companies outside our scope, including those in charge of granting or following up on the ESR distinction. 

Q: What is Sinaloa's current capacity to facilitate shorter, more localized supply chains for mining operations?

HR: Sinaloa's mining development is closely linked to the scale of its operations. We anticipate significant growth when larger projects begin. We are focusing on local supply chain development, supporting existing projects through collaborations with nearby communities and local providers. This includes fostering access for local people and businesses to become suppliers to mining companies.

We also leverage national suppliers, often multinational firms with branches across various states, including Sinaloa. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship, as these suppliers serve mining and other industries. We capitalize on their established logistics, including transport, fuel, safety equipment, and mining equipment, which offers us a significant advantage. Overall, supplier development will increase, tied to the growth of mining in the state.

JC: Beyond suppliers, Sinaloa needs to develop local talent to keep the sector’s growth. In terms of mining production, Sinaloa lags behind states like Chihuahua, Zacatecas, and Sonora, primarily due to our focus on small and medium-scale mining. Initiatives like our recent agreement with UAS are designed to address this. We expect a surge in demand for local engineers once larger projects are launched in the short to medium term.

Currently, many engineers come from other states. We are focusing on collaborating with the state government and universities to emphasize that now is a prime opportunity to develop a local workforce for the mining sector.

Q: Regarding the reforms to the Mining Law, what actions is CLUMISIN undertaking to participate in or influence the drafting process of its secondary regulations?

HR: Our role is not about direct contribution to the law itself, as we do not handle legislation or regulations. Instead, our focus is on dissemination. The cluster actively participates in various meetings, and at the state level, we have met with state deputies and government officials. We prioritize this outreach because mining concepts like concessions, exploration, exploitation, water use, open-pit, and underground operations are not easily understood by the public. These topics are often addressed generally, so from the cluster, we strive to provide foundational education. For instance, we once gave a short mining class at the Mexican Congress for representatives to help them understand our concerns about the new mining law.

JC: As a cluster, our primary role is to express the sector's position and concerns. This often involves addressing the uncertainty created by new legislative proposals and preliminary drafts. We have engaged with state authorities, such as the Ministry of Economy, explaining the potential impacts of legal updates. However, direct modifications or reconsiderations of federal law typically happen in higher-level meetings, such as those CAMIMEX holds directly with the Senate. 

Q: When conducting these educational sessions, what are the most common misconceptions or knowledge gaps lawmakers have regarding the mining sector?

HR: Common misconceptions are that mining pollutes, depletes water, and harms the environment. People often remain stuck in a historical understanding, associating modern mining with practices like the Spanish colonial era’s mercury use for gold recovery, which indeed caused environmental damage. However, current technologies allow us to operate far more responsibly, minimizing our environmental footprint. 

There is also a widespread misunderstanding about water use. Mining, among industrial sectors, actually consumes the least amount of water, with only 0.35% of the national water volume. Many also claim open-pit mining depletes water, but we actively avoid water in these operations to prevent flooding. While we do encounter water in underground mines, it is typically managed for reuse.

This general lack of understanding and persistent stigma overshadows the reality of responsible mining today. It also leads people to overlook the social programs, health initiatives, and environmental management efforts undertaken by mining operations, as well as the significant economic contribution to communities.

Our primary way of supporting the mining sector is through dissemination, awareness, and education, coupled with communicating best practices. This effort aims to overcome the stigma that mining is solely about mineral exploitation. While miners are adept at communicating financial results to stock exchanges, the broader public often overlooks the substantial social programs, community investments, health initiatives, environmental programs, and overall ESG efforts that underpin mining operations.

JC: We observe a lack of knowledge among public officials, whether they are state-level deputies or ministers. Officials from states like Sonora or Zacatecas, where mining is a primary activity, tend to be more informed. However, in Sinaloa, where agriculture, livestock, and fishing are more prominent, officials may not fully understand mining operations.

During a recent meeting at Congress, it was almost like providing a basic class on mining. We explained everything from acquiring concessions to the sector’s impact. For instance, CAMIMEX statistics show that the actual land footprint of mining operations across the country is less than 1% of national territory, a figure often misunderstood when people see numerous mining concessions. Similar misconceptions exist regarding water use and perceived contamination.

It is crucial to explain how mining operates from start to finish, highlighting its full scope: economic development, job creation, local supply chains, and community benefits. This is our essential task at the state level: to ensure public officials are well-informed about mining’s true operations and contributions.

Q: What are CLUMISIN's objectives for 2025?

HR: Our main goals for 2025 focus on training, with 99% of our sessions being free. We also aim to continue building partnerships, particularly by signing agreements with local universities to develop programs and expand outreach. Additionally, we promote ESR and CSR campaigns, encouraging companies and consultants to adopt social responsibility programs and adhere to good mining practices.

Positioning Sinaloa on the mining map was a key objective, and we have achieved it. Now, our main goal is to maintain and further improve this status. Previously, Sinaloa rarely appeared in official reports as a mining state, but now we are named, invited, and considered. This represents a significant achievement, resulting from our efforts to push for recognition and ensure our inclusion. Our future objective is to maintain and elevate this status, with companies soon entering production, further supporting us in this collective endeavor.

JC: CLUMISIN has grown significantly year after year. We are pleased that CLUMISIN is now recognized nationally and internationally, putting Sinaloa itself on the map as a mining state with great potential. This recognition is evident in our strong contacts with CAMIMEX and invitations to various events. We also actively supported the recent formation of the Durango Mining Cluster, a neighboring state, by offering advice and participating. We consistently participate in major conventions, like the upcoming XXXVI International Mining Convention in Acapulco, engaging in conferences, business meetings, and training sessions.

One key achievement for CLUMISIN has been uniting the mining sector here. Traditionally, mining companies operate in isolation. Thanks to the cluster, we now have a platform for regular work meetings, fostering direct communication and collaboration among company directors. This unity has allowed us to align positions on critical issues, such as proposed legislation. Beyond fostering relationships among mining companies, we have also built strong ties with suppliers, who contribute their knowledge and support. We provide suppliers a venue to present their innovations, research, and new technologies. Bringing company executives together strengthens our collective objectives and facilitates dialog, including with government officials. This unity is a significant accomplishment in Sinaloa, allowing us to continuously grow our base of participating suppliers and maintain a highly engaged core of mining companies.

Q: From CLUMISIN’s perspective, what will Sinaloa’s mining industry look like by the end of 2025?

HR: The future of Sinaloa's mining sector, like the rest of Mexico's, depends on many factors, including government decisions and the permits required for mining operations. Nevertheless, we see a positive outlook for mining. A recent meeting with Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, whose discourse was very encouraging, suggests promising developments. We anticipate a coming global crisis of metal scarcity across various industries, creating a significant opportunity for Mexico to stand out. Our sector's inclusion in national plans and the attention we are now receiving, which was absent for the past six years, is very positive. Sinaloa possesses immense potential to become a leading mining state, capable of replacing output from large, depleting mines in other regions.


The Sinaloa Mining Cluster (CLUMISIN) is an association dedicated to empowering Sinaloa's mining sector. It unites mining companies, suppliers, government, and academia to foster strategic alliances. Its scope includes promoting industry growth, advocating for members' interests, and enhancing local capabilities through business matchmaking, training, and responsible practices for sustainable development.