The Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex) reported that only two new mining projects were authorized in Mexico in 2025.
At the same time, significant progress has been made on the authorizations needed for existing operations to continue.
“But if we want to capitalize on this opportunity, we need to redouble our efforts. We must leave old stories about mining in the past and focus on the future. Otherwise, we run the risk of gradually losing a source of social development and national revenue that is unparalleled,” said Pedro Rivero González, president of Camimex, in a recent report.
Mining Projects in Mexico
The physical volume index for mining and metallurgical production closed the year at 80.66 points, representing an increase of just 0.2% compared to 2024.
For Rivero, this result shows that the increase in the value of production was primarily driven by price factors rather than a substantial expansion of productive activity, highlighting the challenges the sector faces in increasing production and developing new mining projects in the country.
The following table shows the number of mining projects in Mexico as of the end of 2025, according to data from Camimex:
- Mining projects: 588.
- Exploration: 233.
- Production: 193.
- Development: 16.
- Postponed, closed, or other: 146.
Overall, Camimex concluded that the mining sector’s performance in 2025 reflects a more conservative investment strategy, focused on maintaining existing operations, strengthening environmental standards, and exploring selective opportunities, rather than a greater commitment to new mining projects.
Mining Employment
For the third consecutive year, employment in the mining sector ended the year on a downward trend, registering 400,057 jobs in December 2025—a 4% year-over-year decline. This contraction is primarily due to the depletion of reserves at mature mines and the lack of new mining projects capable of offsetting job losses.
Despite this decline in employment, the sector maintained its salary appeal: wages grew 7.5% year-over-year and were 28.5% above the national average.