Zacatecas mountain ranges hold significant deposits of gold, silver, copper and zinc, making the state’s 58 municipalities one of the main mining regions in the country. With 2,263 standing mineral concessions in 2016, Zacatecas is divided into 18 mining districts, the most prolific being Fresnillo, Mazapil, Concepción del Oro, Miguel Auza, Ojocaliente, Sombrerete and Zacatecas. As for exploration, 19 companies dominate the search for new deposits in the state, including Fresnillo, Goldcorp, Aura Minerals, Minera Frisco, Industrias Peñoles, First Majestic Silver and Pan American Silver.
Zacatecas holds 3.8 percent of Mexico’s land mass, 1.3 percent of its population and contributes 1.0 percent of GDP. The mining industry is the biggest contributor to the state’s GDP, accounting for 17.8 percent in 2016. The extractive activities and electricity industries, including mining, employ 3.2 percent of the economically active population in Zacatecas.