Mexico’s mining sector is booming, but at what cost? The Buenavista del Cobre mine, operated by Grupo México in Sonora, is a prime example. In 2023, it produced a staggering 398,953 tons of copper, making it Mexico’s largest copper mine. However, this achievement comes with a hefty environmental price tag.
Water woes
The mine’s massive water usage is drying up nearby rivers. According to the National Water Commission (Conagua), Grupo México controls 57% of the available water in the upper Sonora River basin. This has left local communities high and dry, with some going without tap water for days on end. The Rio Bacoachi and Rio Bacanuchi are particularly affected, with their water levels and quality suffering as a result.
The mine’s impact is exacerbated by Mexico’s existing drought issues. The country is already on the brink of a water crisis, and the mine’s activities are making things worse. Studies by Semarnat, IMTA, and ITSON have linked the mine’s increased copper production to the overexploitation of local aquifers. Yet, Grupo México claims there’s no connection between its operations and the water shortage.
A history of controversy
The Buenavista del Cobre mine has a checkered past. In 2014, it was the site of Mexico’s worst environmental disaster, with 40,000 cubic meters of copper leachate spilling into the Sonora River. This incident has raised questions about the transparency of mining concessions and the sector’s ability to manage its environmental impact.
As the mine continues to extract thousands of tons of copper every year, local communities are left to wonder about the long-term consequences. With Mexico’s water crisis deepening and climate change looming large, the future of the mining sector hangs in the balance. Will the government’s regulatory framework be enough to mitigate the damage, or will the pursuit of copper continue to come at the expense of the environment?
The people living near the mine are still waiting for answers.