“The deterioration of public security that has affected all the states caused greater expenses in patrimonial security, as well as the increase in insurance for the transfer of inputs and minerals”, details a report prepared by Camimex.
According to the agency, 83.9% of the country’s mining-metallurgical production is concentrated in the states of Sonora, Zacatecas, Durango, Chihuahua and Guerrero.
In zacatecaswhich is the entity with the highest national production of silver, lead and zinc, nine out of 10 inhabitants considered that the entity is unsafe, according to the latest National Survey of Victimization and Public Safety Perception (ENVPSP) 2022.
In sonorouswhich is the state with the highest gold production in the country, the 79.6% of its population has a perception of insecurity about the state.
The lack of security has generated a decrease in the confidence of foreign investors, who see the country as a less attractive and risky place to establish mining operations. This situation is reflected in a reduction in investment flows and in the loss of development and growth opportunities for the sector.
Mexico loses shine as an investment destination
According to the 2022 Investment Attraction Index carried out by the Fraser Institute, Mexico experienced a decline of three places compared to the previous year, ranking 37th. In addition, in the section related to the perception of mining companies on security , which evaluates aspects such as physical security against threats from terrorists, criminals and guerrilla groups, Mexico ranked third from last among the 62 jurisdictions evaluated, only surpassing South Sudan and Burkina Faso.