Megamining in Mexico: Labor exploitation and profit accumulation

Abstract

Mining in Mexico was one of the country’s main economic activities throughout its history and today again plays a leading role in view of the recent implementation of the export-oriented extractive model in Latin America. In particular, the new mineral extraction techniques adopted today allow for mega-mining projects that generate few jobs but large profits for companies and significant environmental and social impacts in the regions where they are implemented. Often, the threat or presence of such damage causes resistance to emerge from the populations that inhabit these regions to impede the realization of mining projects or to receive compensation for damage caused to the environment, their health or their productive activities.