Germán Larrea

Following the 2014 spill, communities challenged the closure of the compensation trust and the adequacy of remediation work. In 2023, SEMARNAT stated that remediation had been unsatisfactory, attributed the spill to design negligence and submitted a criminal complaint against the responsible companies and any individuals identified by the investigation. Health and environmental problems were still being reported in 2026.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The explosion at the Pasta de Conchos mine, operated by a Grupo México subsidiary, killed 65 miners in February 2006. Parliamentary studies and labour rights reports attributed responsibility to the company and authorities for safety failures. The delayed recovery of bodies and demands for justice remain a major issue of historical accountability.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

From July 2007, the Cananea mine experienced a strike based partly on health and safety demands. After several conflicting decisions, collective labour relations were legally terminated and the authorities regained control of the mine in 2010. The political and trade union dispute continued for years before a final agreement was announced in 2025.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Trade union organisations alleged violations of freedom of association at Grupo México's San Martín mine, prompting the United States to request a review under the USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism. In 2024, a panel ruled in Mexico's favour, finding that the mechanism could not apply retroactively to events predating the treaty's entry into force.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In May 2023, the Mexican Navy took control of railway sections operated by Ferrosur, a Grupo México subsidiary, after they were declared to be of public utility. The operation caused a stock market decline and a dispute over compensation before an agreement was reached, based partly on an extension of concessions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A valve failure at a Grupo México facility in Guaymas caused the release of approximately 3,000 litres of sulphuric acid into the Sea of Cortez. The incident prompted an environmental inspection and partial closure of the facilities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

On 6 August 2014, Grupo México's Buenavista del Cobre mine discharged approximately 40,000 m³ of acidic copper sulphate and metals into the Sonora and Bacanuchi rivers. Authorities described it as Mexico's worst metal-mining environmental disaster, affecting tens of thousands of residents.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated