México: nueva ley minera – ¿mejora todo?

A majority of the mexican congress passed a new mining law in May 2023 that makes the rights of indigenous peoples and other communities greater than before: In communities directly affected by mining projects, free and informed consultations must now take place to obtain the consent of the local population before a concession is granted. With the reform, mining in nature conservation areas is now also prohibited. In addition, concessions are no longer granted for 50 years, but for a maximum of 30 years. Will everything be better now? Can the new mining law help fight social inequality?

The law is also facing a lot of headwind: Mexican and international companies already filed about 500 objections to enforce investment projects in Mexico. They consider the new law unconstitutional.

In parallel, the European Union is pushing ahead with the Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to strengthen the security of supply of so-called critical raw materials for European industries in the fields of energy transition, digitalisation, defence and space. The European Commission's draft - in contrast to the new law in Mexico - runs the risk of undermining indigenous rights and environmental standards.

Together with three Mexican guests and members of the Bundestag, we analyse the new Mexican mining law. What are the consequences for people and the environment if the law is overturned? How does the European Commission's Critical Raw Materials Act affect Mexico? How can communities, rivers and the environment be protected?

With:

    Beatriz Olivera, Cambiémoslaya
    Adriana Bustamante, mexican parlamentarian
    Kathrin Henneberger, Member of the German Bundestag
    Johanna Sydow, International Environmental Policy Officer, Heinrich Böll Foundation

Moderation: Dolores Rojas, Programme Coordinator for Ecology, Mexico City Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation

We look forward to a lively audience participation in this online event.

Contact:
Mareike Bödefeld
Latin America Department of the Heinrich Böll Foundation 
M boedefeld@boell.de

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