Mining Production Contracts in February; Zacatecas Grows

Mexico’s mining output contracted 4.6% in February 2025 when compared to January, reports INEGI. The institute notes that Zacatecas remains the top producer of gold, silver, lead, and zinc, showing double-digit growth across the four minerals. 

According to INEGI’s Minerometallurgical Industry Statistics (EIMM), while Mexico’s mineral production decreased 4.6% monthly, the country’s mining output increased by 3.6% year-on-year. When breaking down production by mineral year-on-year, zinc led with a 15.1% increase, producing 30,732t. Silver followed with an 11.9% increase in production, totaling 355,181kg, and iron pellets saw a 9.3% increase, reaching 371,889t. 

Non-coke coal production remained flat with 34,571t produced. Copper production showed a 3.6% decrease at 15,823t, while gold production contracted by 4.9% at 6,370kg. Sulfur production stood at 16,320t, showing a 16.3% contraction, being the only mineral that showed a double-digit contraction in February 2025. 

Zacatecas Leads Mineral Production 

Zacatecas was the best-performing mining state during February 2025, leading in the production of gold, silver, lead, and zinc, showing double-digit growth across the four of them. During the month, the state produced 4,055kg of gold, a 35.3% increase. The state produced over 32.4% of the national gold production. Zacatecas was followed by Sonora with 2,801kg, a 2.6% contraction, and Guerrero with 2,119kg produced, a 13.7% increase. 

Zacatecas produced 44.9% of Mexico’s silver with a production of 240,229kg and a 42.2% increase. The state was followed by Chihuahua with a production of 102,117kg, a 5.6% decrease; and Durango with a production of 89,694kg and a 3.1% contraction. 

Lead production was practically carried out by Zacatecas, which produced 73.9% of Mexico’s output, as it produced 14,118t of the mineral, showing a 15.3% increase. The state was followed by Durango with a 1,545t production, a 17.6% decrease, and Chihuahua with a production of 1,251t and a 10.5% contraction. 

Zinc production in February 2025 was primarily contributed by Zacatecas, which accounted for approximately 65.4% of Mexico's total output. Zacatecas produced 43,184t of the mineral, showing a 61.7% increase. The state was followed by Durango with a 8,449t production, showing a 7.7% decrease, Chihuahua with a production of 5,579t and a 5.6% contraction, and San Luis Potosi with a production of 2,076t and a 3.2% increase.

Copper was among the minerals where Zacatecas did not stand out. Production in February 2025 was primarily led by Sonora, which accounted for approximately 80.4% of Mexico's total output. Sonora produced 43,383t of the mineral, showing an 8% decrease year-on-year. The state was followed by Zacatecas with a 5,619t production, showing a 1.3% increase, and San Luis Potosi with a production of 2,195t and a 3% contraction.

Other minerals where Zacatecas did not lead were iron, sulfur, and fluorspar. Michoacan led in iron production with 234,538t and a 4.3% decrease. Sulfur production was led by Tabasco with 684t, showing a 36.5% contraction. Fluorspar production was led by San Luis Potosi with 95,541t, a 1.9% decrease compared to the previous year.