2020/21
Introduction 2020 will go down in history as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also as the year that pushed humanity to take a definitive technological leap. Two decades ago, the world wondered what role new technologies would play in a hypothetical technological future. With the crisis caused by COVID-19, that future arrived and is here to stay in all sectors of everyday life. Mining is no exception. During the dual economic-health crisis, with demand from the world’s leading economies at rock bottom and with half the planet sheltering its capital and assets in the safety of gold, the mining sector advanced thanks to years of preparation, becoming more efficient, more sustainable and cleaner. In an industry that is looking toward the future as never before, the focus suddenly shifted to the implementation of new and disruptive technologies, greater awareness of the environment, the industry’s social impact on communities and energy efficiency in a period of global transition. The following pages provide in-depth analyses, interviews, reflections and insights on the main challenges facing the sector not only in Mexico, but also in Latin America and the rest of the world. Continuous technological training of the country’s workforce, improving the relationship between the public and private sectors, the creation of a beneficial regulatory framework for both the public sector and the attraction of FDI, investment in exploration of new fields and legal security are among the great challenges for the industry in the short and medium term. Mexico will soon join the green revolution that is leading the world to seek new and clean energy sources, as well. In this context, the country must play a leading role as one of the most relevant jurisdictions in mining, an industry that represents 8.2 percent of its industrial GDP. This figure could even rise in the short term if Mexico is able to deliver on one of its great hopes: lithium. The future is now. Is Mexico ready?
