Marcelo Ebrard Pushes to Greenlight Exploration Projects

Marcelo Ebrard, Minister of Economy, announced plans to accelerate mining permit approvals in 2026, aiming to support large-scale exploration and meet rising global demand for critical minerals.

 “At the XXXVI International Mining Convention 2025, we reaffirmed our commitment to restart large-scale exploration next year, streamline pending permits, reduce processing times, and facilitate investment,” Ebrard stated. He emphasized that in today’s tense geopolitical climate, access to minerals and their processing is critical for competitiveness and supply chain security. “Securing supply chains is a national priority, given the current global context,” he added, noting that three new mining permits have already been approved. These permits include land-use authorizations for exploration and extraction, as well as environmental impact approvals.

Ebrard also highlighted the shared responsibility between the government and mining companies regarding sustainability and labor standards. During a summit of governors from mining states, he underlined the sector’s significance for Mexico’s economic growth, job creation, and the transition toward more sustainable and responsible mining practices.

Mineral Exploration Faces Uncertainty Amid Regulatory Shifts
Since 2022, Mexico’s mineral exploration sector has faced a slowdown, with investment declining from over US$500 million in 2023 to around US$400 million projected for 2025. This trend reflects both global market pressures and domestic regulatory uncertainties, creating a more cautious environment for companies seeking to expand operations. A major source of uncertainty has been the 2023 reform to the Mining Law, which reserves exploration rights primarily for the Mexican Geological Survey (SGM) and imposes stricter environmental and operational requirements on private companies.

While under former President López Obrador these regulations were the main point of concern, the current government has continued a cautious, state-driven approach. President Claudia Sheinbaum previously confirmed that no new mining concessions will be granted during her administration, emphasizing sustainable development and strategic oversight. 

Despite government ongoing efforts to streamline pending permits and accelerate large-scale exploration within the established regulatory framework, mining companies still face increased financial and legal risks due to higher royalties, tighter environmental standards, and budget constraints within the SGM.

Mexico’s Mining Investment Attractiveness
Despite these challenges, Mexico’s investment climate in mining shows improvement. In 2024, the country climbed to 49th place in the Fraser Institute’s Mining Investment Attractiveness Index, recovering from 74th in 2023. This rise was driven primarily by a stronger Geological Potential Index, which increased from 37.50 to 64.29 points, while the Policy Perception Index saw a smaller improvement from 35.02 to 39.78 points. The 2023 ranking had been Mexico’s lowest in 14 years.

Surveyed mining executives noted reduced concerns about Mexico’s geological data, labor regulations, and political stability. Yet, challenges remain: regulatory duplication and inconsistencies worsened by 13 points, and uncertainty regarding environmental regulations increased by 12 points, highlighting areas that still require attention to maintain investor confidence.