Violence Hits Sonora Mining Sector

The Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM) in Sonora stated that, like the rest of the country, Sonora is being hit by insecurity. David Ramos, President of AIMMGM’s Sonora District, said that in recent years, there has been an increase in robberies, assaults and violence in the sector. He explained that because mining companies produce high-value minerals and are located in remote locations, this makes them easy targets for criminals. However, he stressed that companies are receiving training to detect and prevent risk situations.

" We are open to receiving proposals of new technologies that help to detect any type of risk where an operator works," he commented. Among the security protocols implemented in Sonora are strict revisions to incoming vehicles, verification of new equipment, in-depth knowledge of risk areas, among others. "Not only in mining, but in different activities there are risks or situations in which there is an area of opportunity in terms of safety. There are always recommendations that must be made and carried out," he said.

CAMIMEX recently stated that criminal attacks against mining companies increase their operating costs by between 10% and 20%. The chamber adds that the figure could be higher considering that mining companies must invest heavily in personnel training and hire more security guards. 

Moreover, Luis Vázquez, President, AIMMGM, reported that some companies have even paid off criminal gangs, resulting in a 3 percent increase in the final cost of minerals. Vazquez added that states with a long mining history like Chihuahua, the State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Sonora and Zacatecas rank among the states with the highest perceived insecurity.

CAMIMEX previously noted that the most affected operations are those located in states with a high incidence of drug trafficking, such as Sinaloa, Zacatecas, Sonora, Durango and Guerrero. These states concentrate most of Mexico's mining activity. For example, the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán, son of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, caused a series of confrontations between federal forces and cartel members in Sinaloa, resulting in 29 deaths and the closing of businesses and economic activity in key cities. In December 2022, Zacatecas also suffered one of its major violent episodes in recent times. The state, Mexico’s first producer of silver, lead and zinc, suffered from road blockades and violence against the national guard.