Overview

In 2024, Mexico’s mining sector was a critical pillar of the national economy, contributing 4.7 percent to GDP and supporting nearly 70 other industrial segments. The sector generated USD 17.07 billion in production value, while U.S. exports of mining equipment to Mexico totaled USD 1.33 billion, representing about 37 percent of Mexico’s total imports of mining equipment.

Mexico ranks among the world’s leading producers of several minerals. It is the largest global producer of silver, the second-largest producer of calcium fluoride, and the third-largest producer of sodium sulfate. Mexico also ranks fourth in lead, ninth in gold, and tenth in copper, underscoring its strategic role as a global mining powerhouse. Five minerals account for 86.3 percent of national mining and metallurgical production: gold contributes 30.6 percent, followed by copper at 27.2 percent, silver at 17.6 percent, zinc at 7.1 percent, and iron pellets at 3.8 percent.

The country’s mining ecosystem includes more than 900 companies, ranging from producers to service providers and equipment distributors. Mexico operated over 97 open-pit mines and 152 underground mines in 2024 across its major producing states. The largest players include Grupo México, Grupo Peñoles, Minera Frisco, and Mexicana de Cobre. Foreign direct investment is concentrated in gold, copper, zinc, and uranium mining, with Canada as the leading investor, followed by the United States, Spain, Germany, and Japan. The U.S. presence is significant, with at least 33 companies operating in Mexico, including Newmont’s Peñasquito mine, the country’s largest gold producer.

Several factors are driving growth in the sector, including strong global demand for gold, copper, and zinc for industrial and technology applications, as well as new opportunities arising from Mexico’s lithium reserves, estimated at 243 million tons, the largest in the world. The Mexican government has expressed interest in building a complete supply chain from lithium extraction to battery production. The Mexican Mining Chamber (Cámara Minera de México or CAMIMEX) has identified environmental and clean energy technologies as another export market for U.S. companies, noting that, among its members, 70 percent of water consumed in 2024 production came from treated and recirculated wastewater. The construction and implementation of water treatment plants is ongoing to maintain a responsible commitment to the communities around mining operations. Currently, over 100 water treatment plants in the mining sector operate in 16 states of Mexico. Although fossil fuels are predominant in Mexico’s mining, at least 42 mining operations rely on clean energy sources for their production. These mining companies reported 4,636 GWh consumption which is equivalent to 38 percent of national total consumption in 2022.

Five states account for 84 percent of Mexico’s total mineral production. Sonora leads with 34.4 percent, producing significant amounts of gold and copper, followed by Zacatecas at 26.1 percent, which is a major silver and zinc producer. Durango contributes 11 percent, Chihuahua 10.2 percent, and Guerrero 5.1 percent. Production is roughly divided between precious metals, which make up about half of output, non-ferrous metals at 40 percent, metallurgy at six percent, and non-metallic ores at seven percent.

Trade Statistics

Table 1: Mexico Mining Equipment and Services Market Size (USD billions)

Source: CAMIMEX, TPIS, HS Codes 8430, 8431, 8474, 8207

Leading Sub-sectors

• Machinery for mining and construction
• Safety and security equipment
• Modeling and simulation software
• Environmental monitoring and control systems (gas detection, dust suppression, water filtration)
• Automation, remote monitoring, and autonomous production technologies
• Exploration and drilling equipment
• Repair and maintenance services near mine sites
• Lithium extraction and processing technologies
• Clean energy and water treatment solutions for mining operations
• Equipment: Bulldozers; blasthole drills, jaw crushers, gyratory crushers, cone crushers, shovels, graders, dozers, hydraulic mining shovels; mining drills; draglines; wheel loaders; excavators; water trucks, mining trucks; haul trucks, off-highway trucks/vehicles for moving materials at surface mines, articulated trucks, electric rope shovels and drill bits.

Opportunities

Leading opportunities include supplying equipment, parts, and services to support Mexico’s expanding mining production and modernization efforts. Demand is particularly strong for machinery and technology that improve efficiency, safety, and compliance with stricter environmental standards. There is also growing interest in lithium extraction and processing solutions, as well as clean energy and water recycling technologies. Proximity and service availability are decisive factors for parts and repair providers, with operators preferring suppliers that maintain consignment inventories near mining locations.

Resources

• Mexico Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX)
• Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM)
• InfoMine
• National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI)
• Chihuahua Mining Cluster (CLUMIN)
• Zacatecas Mining Cluster (CLUSMIN)
• Sonora Mining Cluster

Events

• XV Conferencia Internacional Minera: April 21-24, 2026. Chihuahua.
• Congreso Internacional Minero: April 2026. Sonora.
• Other events: www.geomin.com.mx
   

Commercial Specialist

For more information on the mining and minerals industries in Mexico, contact: Lauren Coughlin (Lauren.Coughlin@trade.gov)