Mining, accelerator of economic growth

Mining, in addition to being essential for human development that depends on the presence of a variety of minerals and metals, is also a lever for the economy worldwide.

16.3%

16.3%

T he Covid-19 pandemic brought with it the suspension of all sectors worldwide. In 2021, the reactivation of these sectors began to take place, and one of the leading sectors was the economic sector. Despite the global economic recovery increase, it needed to be balanced in all countries, which caused lags in the production chains.

However, the mining industry developed significantly after the global economic recovery. The increase in the price of minerals since the beginning of the pandemic was crucial in enabling the mining industry to emerge from the recession quickly. In addition, it has become one of the most significant supports to stabilize the countries’ economies.

The mining industry is strategic for national development because it provides raw materials for a wide range of industrial activities, generates jobs in areas that are difficult to access, and attracts investment to countries. This segment is among the significant foreign exchangegenerating industries and contributes to local and regional development.

The annual report of CAMIMEX reported on the mining situation in Mexico. This report showed that Mexico ranks first in Latin America as a destination for exploration investment, with 23% of the subcontinent’s total.

América Latina como destino de inversión en exploración con 23% del total del subcontinente.

El sector minero mexicano contribuye al PIB nacional con un 2.5% y al PIB industrial con un 8.6%, este segmento es uno de lo que más aporta a esta rama. Además, la minería mexicana creció en un 7.1%, siendo una de las tasas más dinámicas de todas las industrias.

Por otro lado, para poder mantener el crecimiento y aporte de este sector, gobierno y empresas privadas deberán trabajar en conjunto para propiciar un ambiente idóneo para para la inversión y el desarrollo de operaciones. Las estrategias ESG tendrán que ser tomadas en cuenta para permitir el crecimiento del sector de manera sostenible.

El aumento de inversiones en el 2021 demostró la importancia de impulsar el sector con el otorgamiento de concesiones e incentivos para la exploración en territorio mexicano. Las inversiones crecieron un 36.1% de 2020 a 2021. Las exportaciones minerometalúrgicas tuvieron un incremento de 28.1% respecto con el año anterior y las importaciones tuvieron un alza de 26.7%. Todo esto demuestra la importancia del sector como generador de divisas.

Banxico informó que la industria minera se encuentra como la quinta fuente generadora de divisas, encontrándose detrás de los sectores automotriz, de aparatos y maquinaria eléctrica y electrónica, las remesas y las exportaciones petroleras.

Ahora bien, en materia de creación de trabajos se registraron un total de 406 mil 179 puestos de trabajo hasta el mes de diciembre de 2021, esto debido al resultado de la recuperación y crecimiento de la actividad minera-metalúrgica. Conviene enfatizar que el 16.3% de los empleados del sector son mujeres, al cierre del 2021 se dio un incremento de 14.2% de las trabajadoras mineras.

Por último, es importante resaltar la importancia de los minerales y metales para la producción de energías limpias. La industria minera buscará cumplir las necesidades de las industrias para lograr la transición energética y apoyar a la lucha contra el cambio climático.

The Mexican mining sector contributes 2.5% to the national GDP and 8.6% to the industrial GDP; this segment is one of the main contributors to this branch. In addition, Mexican mining grew by 7.1%, one of the most dynamic rates of all industries.

On the other hand, to maintain this sector’s growth and contribution, government and private companies will have to work together to provide an ideal environment for investment and the development of operations. ESG strategies will have to be considered to allow the sector to grow sustainably.

The increase in investments in 2021 demonstrated the importance of boosting the sector by granting concessions and incentives for exploration in Mexican territory. Assets grew by 36.1% from 2020 to 2021. Mining-metallurgical exports increased by 28.1% compared to the previous year, and imports increased by 26.7%. All this demonstrates the importance of the sector as a foreign exchange generator.

Banxico reported that the mining industry is the fifth most significant source of foreign currency, behind the automotive, electrical, and electronic equipment and machinery, remittances, and oil exports.

However, in terms of job creation, 406,179 jobs have been registered up to December 2021 due to the recovery and growth of the mining-metallurgical activity. It should be emphasized that 16.3% of the sector’s employees are women; at the end of 2021, there was an increase of 14.2% of female mining workers.

Finally, it is essential to highlight the importance of minerals and metals for producing clean energy. The mining industry will seek to meet segments’ needs to achieve the energy transition and support the fight against climate change.

La industria minera es estratégica en el desarrollo nacional, debido a que provee de materias primas a un rubro bastante amplio de actividades industriales, es generadora de empleos en zonas de difícil acceso y atrae inversión a los países.

The mining industry is strategic for national development because it provides raw materials for a wide range of industrial activities, generates jobs in areas that are difficult to access, and attracts investment to countries.