Gold and silver robbery in Mexico had a major event on Monday, when a truck with 33 tons of concentrate of both metals was robbed near Guadalajara, according to a statement sent on Monday by Grupo Minero Bacis.
This event is part of a broader problem. In its 2024 annual report, the Mining Chamber of Mexico (Camimex) reported that, according to an internal survey on the property security situation over the last three years, 90% of those surveyed stated that they experienced the incidence of some crime, indicating that its occurrence was sporadic and on a few occasions mainly.
Gold and silver robbery in Mexico
In the aforementioned event, a group of organized criminals aboard two vehicles robbed a truck belonging to the company Fletes Durango, which was loaded with at least 33 tons of gold and silver concentrate owned by the company Grupo Minero Bacis, bound for the port of Manzanillo.
The events took place on the Durango to Puerto Manzanillo highway.
According to preliminary information, a tractor-trailer with economic number 104 was intercepted by two white vehicles with tinted windows. The assailants neutralized the security guards and subdued the driver.
The authorities confirmed that there were no physical injuries. In addition, the tractor-trailer was recovered. However, so far there is no information on the whereabouts of the cargo.
The vehicle belongs to Grupo Minero Bacis, a gold and silver mining company. Its concentrate is sold in both the domestic and international markets.
Mining
In 2024, the aggregate value of the mining sector amounted to 1,078.5 million pesos, showing an increase of 1.6% with respect to 2023. Additionally, the non-metallic mineral mining sector registered 3,415 economic units during the year, with the largest number of economic units located in Puebla, Guerrero and Sonora.
On May 8, 2023, a reform to the Mining Law was published in the Official Gazette. The objective: to strengthen state control and limit private participation in the sector.
The amendments also seek to reinforce the environmental and social obligations of the concessions.
Among the key changes is the end of the preferential treatment that mining had over other land uses. In addition, mining activity is prohibited in deep waters and protected areas.
It also eliminates the figure of “free land” for new concessions. As of the reform, the government assumes exclusive control over the exploration of strategic minerals such as lithium and uranium.