Ken Salazar Meets With Zacatecas Mining Cluster

US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar met with the Zacatecas Mining Cluster this Sunday. During his second day visiting the state, the ambassador insisted on the need to enhance the public security of the state. 

In the past week, violent confrontations between the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel took place. After the violent outbreaks, President López Obrador promised that the federal government was already implementing a security strategy tailored to the state. “The National Guard is in Zacatecas. This state has one of the strongest presences of army personnel and we already have a plan for Zacatecas regarding these confrontations,” he said.

“I had a productive meeting with the Zacatecas Mining Cluster. The private sector is being affected by security issues and wants to be a part of the solution. Collaboration between the public and private sector is crucial for the inhabitants of Zacatecas to live safely and in peace,” wrote Salazar on his Twitter account.

Furthermore, at the meeting with mining entrepreneurs, Salazar discussed the importance of security in the country and recognized the work of mining companies toward the productivity of the most important economic sector of Zacatecas. He urged the executives to work together and point out the problems they may need to overcome. Jaime Lomelín Guillén, President, the Zacatecas Mining Cluster, underwrote the ambassador’s suggestions and explained the activities and objectives of the organization. 

Companies like Newmont, Orla Mining, Capstone Copper, Fresnillo, Peñoles and other suppliers of mining products and services participated in the meeting, as did officials of the US Embassy and Monterrey’s US consulate. 

Zacatecas is one of the five most important mining states in Mexico. The state’s industry is the source of more than 90,000 direct and indirect jobs. Zacatecas is the second-largest mining entity in the country, leading in silver, zinc and lead production. Two of the biggest mining-producing companies, Fresnillo and Peñoles, have important assets in the state and are planning on increasing production, significantly contributing to the economy of Zacatecas in the process.