Mexico tightens mining rules: environmental permits now mandatory

Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) published a new agreement on July 20, 2026, requiring all mining concession holders to obtain environmental impact permits before conducting exploration or exploitation, even in federal protected areas. The rule applies retroactively to concessions granted before May 9, 2023 Source: infobae.

Key measures

The agreement establishes that environmental authorizations are independent administrative processes separate from mining concessions. The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) has ruled that a concession does not grant automatic exploitation rights Source: lajornadamx. Specific prohibitions include:

• Ban on mining activities in protected natural areas without prior environmental impact authorization
• Ban on disposing of mining and metallurgical waste in protected areas, wetlands, water channels, and federal zones
• Requirement for restoration programs before, during, and after mining operations

Enforcement and oversight

Semarnat officials must immediately notify the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) of any environmental impact requests related to protected areas. Conanp will issue a binding technical report. The head of Conanp, Pedro Álvarez Icaza, is delegated to supervise compliance Source: lajornadamx.

Background

A reform to the Mining Law in May 2023 changed concessions from covering all minerals and water control to a single mineral with strict water controls. The SCJN upheld this reform, reinforcing the separation of concessions and environmental permits Source: infobae.