Mining Law Is Approved/Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine Shot

Reform to the Mining Law is approved. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador celebrated the approval of the reform to the Mining Law, which seeks to nationalize lithium and other strategic minerals. In addition, López Obrador assured that despite the criticism, Mexico can now  successfully develop the lithium industry. “I am very happy with the news of the nationalization of lithium since it is a strategic mineral. Our opponents say that it is useless to nationalize lithium if the technology is lacking, but that is the least problem since it can be developed or acquired. What matters is that the lithium is ours.”

Yesterday, with 275 votes in favor, 24 against and 187 abstentions, the initiative to modify articles 1, 5, 9 and 10 of the Mining Law was approved, granting the State exclusive control of the exploration and exploitation of lithium. Unlike the electric reform that was rejected on Sunday, the reform to the Mining Law did not need a qualified majority, but a simple majority, since it is not a constitutional reform.

Mexico is leaving behind the fourth wave of COVID-19. Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell celebrated that in the last three months Mexico has reported a reduction in infections, deaths and hospitalizations related to COVID-19. “In some states we have had a green epidemiological traffic light for two months and now we will have a green light in all 32 states. It is a steady decline showing that the fourth wave is coming to an end."

The Ministry of Health reported that 5 deaths and 164 infections were registered yesterday, bringing the total number of infections to 5,727,832 and death toll stands at 323,949. According to the authorities, 65 percent of the cases are in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Tabasco, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Puebla and Sonora.

Fourth COVID-19 dose for older adults and medical personnel. López Gatell said that although it is not contemplated in the National Vaccination Program, an additional COVID-19 booster could be administered to older adults and medical personnel. “We did not consider a fourth dose in our vaccination plan, but doctors have recommended that older adults receive an additional booster. We also recommend the same to health personnel due to their exposure to the virus.”

According to the health authority, a total of 195,891,996 million doses have been applied to 85,710,647 million people. It is estimated that 87 percent of the entire population has received at least one dose.  Additionally, those with a full vaccination scheme, 53 percent have received a booster shot.

New alliance with India for the production of medicines and vaccines. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard announced that Mexico will enter into an agreement with eight Indian companies to guarantee the supply of medicines and vaccines for 10 years. “We are working with various institutions in India to ensure the supply of medicines and vaccines. Yesterday we had a Zoom meeting to discuss the production of vaccines, not only to prevent COVID-19, but also for papilloma and others diseases. It is an alliance that implies agreements until 2032.”

Last month, Ebrard made a diplomatic visit to India for three days, with the aim of further strengthening Mexico’s health alliance with India since it has become one of the most important pharmaceutical hubs in the world. Ebrard explained that the main objective of the new alliance is to avoid a situation similar to the one that Mexico experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, when it had to wait 8 months for the supply of vaccines.