Minera Autlán Struggles With Protests in Hidalgo

Minera Autlán provided an update regarding the protests that have been affecting its operations in the Hidalgo-based Molango unit since early September. The company said that the protests led it to close part of its assets in the region because of unfounded claims made by the protesters.

Minera Autlán reported that after weeks of negotiations, it failed to reach an agreement with protesters who blocked the road to one of its assets. Furthermore, the company could not meet the demands of the Ixcotla community, which did not give a response to a company proposal with a deadline on Sept. 27, 2022. 

On Sept. 24, 2022, members of the Ixcotla community urged the company to meet their requests to liberate the Mexico-Tampico highway, which connects Autlan’s assets to the rest of the country. According to local media, the Ixcotla community asks the company for a monthly fee of US$24,700 for the use of land, private medical insurance for each of the inhabitants of the community, a donation of land to construct houses, bimonthly payments of the electricity bills and 40kg of LP gas for each family, as well as scholarships, school supplies and transport for students of different educational levels. In addition, the community asked for solar water heaters and water tanks added to employment opportunities for inhabitants. Minera Autlán said that the petitions made by the community were unreasonable and outside of the legal framework used to meet the needs of communities living near mining projects.

As a consequence of the failed agreement, the company announced that it will establish an alternative supply route to keep providing its clients. Autlán also announced that it is preparing the closure plan of the Naopa quarry and declared the company began a general, indefinite strike, which means that all the social programs and conventions carried out in parallel with the project are to be canceled. “We reiterate that the company cannot work with constant blockades and claims such as the [illegal] applications of land fees, quotas or any similar petition,” the company stated.

Officers of the local Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) said that it is important to reach an agreement as both parties can benefit from the mining activity in the Molango municipality, which holds the largest manganese deposit in Mexico. Minera Autlán is one of the biggest employers in the region. Nonetheless, its perceived environmental impact has generated a negative perspective regarding the company among inhabitants.