Sixteen water treatment plants will be built along the Sonora River.
On Monday, the Mexican government, the state of Sonora, and Grupo Mexico conglomerate established a US$124 million fund for the Comprehensive Environmental and Social Justice Plan in Cananea.
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The funds will provide severance pay to 650 miners, compensation to 53 widows, and an end to the longest strike in the history of the Mexican labor movement, which lasted 18 years. The fund will also address environmental damage caused by the sulfate spill to the Sonora River.
Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez informed that Grupo Mexico contributed 70% of the funds, the government 22%, and the state of Sonora 8%. The conglomerate contributed US$83.7 million, in addition to previous deposits of US$3.2 million granted in 2018 and 2019.
Sixteen water treatment plants, a regional water quality laboratory, and monitoring stations will be built along the Sonora River. Additionally, the Ures Regional Hospital, with 60 beds and specialized services, will be constructed.
The plan was presented alongside Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo, Environment Secretary Alicia Barcenas, Labor Secretary Marath Bolaños, Environmental Attorney Mariana Boy, IMSS-Bienestar owner Alejandro Svarch, and National Water Commission (Conagua) Director Efrain Morales.
⚠️☠️ Otro desastre minero que le cuesta la vida a 2 jóvenes trabajadores en la mina Buenavista del Cobre, de Grupo México.
Urge que se publiquen los reglamentos de la Ley de #Minería para mejorar la regulación de esta industria que vulnera derechos sistemáticamente. 🚫⛏️ pic.twitter.com/9nFEsDqRvu
— Cambiémosla Ya (@cambiemosla_ya) October 30, 2025
The text reads, “Another mining disaster has claimed the lives of two young workers at the Buenavista del Cobre mine, owned by Grupo Mexico. The regulations for the Mining Law must be published to improve the regulation of this industry, which systematically violates rights.”
The National Mining Union and the Mexican government signed an agreement guaranteeing severance pay in accordance with the original collective agreement, access to social security, and pensions for 650 workers at the mines.
President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted the consensus reached as a historic event for Sonora and Mexico. The agreement represents social and environmental justice, as well as comprehensive compensation for workers and communities.
Miners’ leader Napoleon Gomez recalled the workers’ sacrifices during the 18-year strike, who endured extreme conditions and sometimes went without pay. He thanked Sheinbaum, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Labor, and stated that such a conflict must not be repeated.
The union will monitor the agreement and demand resolution to strikes such as in Taxco and Sombrerete, which have lasted more than 18 years. Gomez reaffirmed the dignity and rights of the workers as the basis of the agreement reached.
He also denounced discrimination by Grupo Mexico owner German Larrea, who hired outside personnel and blacklisted workers. Gomez emphasized that the miners are the ones who extract, transform, and produce the wealth that allowed Larrea to accumulate a millionaire fortune.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Mexico: A recent official report has shown that the number of Mexicans living in poverty has decreased, representing a historic turning point in its social structure. pic.twitter.com/FzTJ420w9g
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 23, 2025
teleSUR: JP
Source: La Jornada
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