Mexico’s proposed higher mining royalties could block nearly $7bn in investments
The Mexican government proposed raising mining royalties under the argument that metal prices have risen in recent years.
Mining investment in Mexico should remain largely stable in 2024 compared to last year at around $5 billion but new regulation could hamper the development of new mining projects, the country’s Camimex mining chamber said on Wednesday.
The 2023 investment level fell 5.8% from the previous year to $4.96 billion, Camimex said, amid uncertainty after regulations were tightened for new projects.
The reform, promoted by the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, shortens concessions in the mining sector to 30 years from 50 and tightens extraction permits for water, as the country faces extended shortages and hotter climate.
Camimex President Jaime Gutierrez said in a presentation that investments this year would largely go toward expansions and modifications of existing mines, due to the “great limitation in terms of new projects.”
Higher international prices for raw materials this year should bring in higher income for local producers, he added, after a “challenging” 2023 due to unfavorable global trends and the effect of the new regulation.
Mexico’s metals production was worth some 261.1 billion Mexican pesos ($14.7 billion) last year according to Camimex, down 18% from 2022, while the sector’s tax contributions fell 32% year-on-year.
Gutierrez said industry representatives had reached out to officials of Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, set to take office in October, with their concerns regarding the sector.
“I believe she (Sheinbaum) has a clear awareness of the need to increase economic possibilities in the country and that this will only be possible if she supports mining,” Gutierrez said.
Camimex brings together the country’s largest industry players, such as Grupo Mexico, one of the world’s top copper producers, and Industrias Peñoles, one of the biggest producers of refined silver.
Mexico’s government has clashed with several miners this year, such as Vulcan Materials, whose limestone mine located near popular Caribbean tourist resorts the government said was causing environmental damage, which the firm denied.
Mexico is the world’s top silver producer and a major supplier of gold and copper. Its mining industry fuels some 2.5% of gross domestic product.
($1 = 17.8084 Mexican pesos)
(By Marion Giraldo and Sarah Morland; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Sandra Maler)
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