Camimex: Mining Should Be Included in the USMCA.

The Mexican Chamber of Mining (Camimex) has called on the government to ensure that the mining sector plays a more active role in the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), given that mining currently does not have its own dedicated chapter.

Pedro Rivero, president of Camimex, emphasized at a press conference that the Chamber’s members have made it clear to the Secretary of Economy that mining must be included in the USMCA.

Rivero highlighted that, “The important thing is that we are a source for many of the supply chains in the region. So we believe we need to be part of the USMCA, and we have conveyed this to the Ministry of Economy.”

Unlike mining, the TMEC does include chapters dedicated exclusively to agriculture, energy, financial services, and telecommunications. In light of this evidence, Rivero has stated that Mexico has everything it needs to become one of North America’s key suppliers of critical minerals.

“Plan Mexico can accelerate that opportunity if we work together to strengthen exploration, provide certainty for investment, and promote new projects under the highest social and environmental standards,” Rivero said.

Meanwhile, Karen Flores, CEO of Camimex, emphasized that mining is an essential part of advancing the USMCA and industrial development.

Camimex reports that mining exports totaled US$30,642 million, representing a surplus of US$13,747 million.

The Chamber explained that the increase in exports is mainly due to the rise in international metal prices, while the physical volume of production remained constant.

Finally, Camimex notes that Mexico is the world leader in silver production, as well as one of the leading producers of molybdenum, zinc, lead, gold, and copper.

The chamber emphasizes that: “Minerals for which demand will continue to grow as the energy transition progresses, technological infrastructure develops, and North American supply chains are strengthened.”