Mining: Essential Industry for Mexico

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Mexico’s Minister of Economy Tatiana Clouthier Carrillo said 2020 was a very challenging and difficult year for the world. Mexico was no exception. The minister welcomed approximately 700 people to Mexico Mining Forum 2021 on Wednesday, Feb. 10, hosted by Mexico Business News. “We expect the industry will continue to face past challenges, in addition to the new ones, in 2021.”

Clouthier applauded the mining industry’s efforts toward reactivating Mexico’s economy. She explained that mining is an important industry for the country, since it represents around 3.2 percent of Mexico’s GDP. Moreover, in 2019, the Mexican mining industry generated 379,000 direct jobs, benefitting miners and contributing to their family’s earnings. The number of employees has increased, especially as a result of indirect jobs created by the industry, said the minister.

However, due to several crises, including COVID-19, the mining industry is bound to face challenging times. Clouthier reported that the Ministry of Economy has invited small, medium, and large companies, as well as the corresponding associations, to find common solutions within a legal framework to reactivate initiatives that will benefit Mexico’s economic development.

Furthermore, Clouthier said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the sector and the need for it to become a sustainable activity that oversees and protects the economy, workers and the environment. “To boost ESG practices, there needs to be collaboration between the society, government and the mining industry,” she said.