Mexican union wants mining operations to resume in May
2020-04-21 08:43:54 [Print]
The deputy secretary of work at the national level for the Confederation of Mexican Workers, Javier Villarreal, asked the federal government to include mining in its list of essential services so that operations can resume in May.
Most economic activities were halted in Mexico in late March due to the covid-19 pandemic, with the health and energy sectors, the oil industry, and public services such as water supply, waste management and public safety being the exception, together with steel, glass and cement manufacturers.
However, according to Villarreal, mining provides the raw materials that allow other industries, considered essential, to operate. Thus, he believes the extraction and processing of minerals and metals should be allowed to go ahead.
The union leader said activities at mine sites and processing plants can be resumed taking heightened hygiene measures and banning people in high-risk groups, such as senior citizens or pregnant women, from going back to work.
In early April, industry leaders started pushing for an exclusion to the temporary halt of non-essential activities, arguing mining should be allowed to continue due to its importance to national supply chains and the wellbeing of host communities.
Most economic activities were halted in Mexico in late March due to the covid-19 pandemic, with the health and energy sectors, the oil industry, and public services such as water supply, waste management and public safety being the exception, together with steel, glass and cement manufacturers.
However, according to Villarreal, mining provides the raw materials that allow other industries, considered essential, to operate. Thus, he believes the extraction and processing of minerals and metals should be allowed to go ahead.
The union leader said activities at mine sites and processing plants can be resumed taking heightened hygiene measures and banning people in high-risk groups, such as senior citizens or pregnant women, from going back to work.
In early April, industry leaders started pushing for an exclusion to the temporary halt of non-essential activities, arguing mining should be allowed to continue due to its importance to national supply chains and the wellbeing of host communities.
Copper Conc. TC 25%min CIF China
Unit:USD/mt
China copper concentrate producers' operating rate statistics by province by month
Unit: %
