Grupo México lead-zinc-copper mine halted due to blockade

Grupo México’s San Martín unit in Zacatecas state suspended operations due to a blockade that the Sombrerete transport companies’ association has maintained since the end of last week and prevents access to where the lead-zinc-copper mine is located, local press reported.

Newspaper NTR Zacatecas reported on Tuesday that the company's management met with workers to inform them of the decision while the transporters are demanding that local personnel be hired.

At the meeting, management said they will wait for instructions to know how they will solve the situation but they anticipated that the union and trusted personnel are united to undertake actions that will allow them to keep the mine working, reported NTR.

Employees were also told that their salaries will not be affected, at least for this week and next, according to local media.

El Sol de Zacatecas reported that Grupo México filed a criminal complaint over the blockade that prevents access to the mine in Sombrerete municipality and which is led by the Movimiento Ciudadano candidate for mayor, Alfonso Renato Lerma Ceceñas.

BNamericas asked a Grupo México spokesperson to verify the reports and whether any lawsuit was filed but did not immediately receive a response.

The newspaper reported that the general secretary of the government of Zacatecas, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, also denounced the blockade staged since last Thursday by a small group of truck drivers as it also affects residents of San Martín, since as it is making it difficult for them to enter their community.

Reyes said the blockade is being led by a person outside the company, “so it’s not a labor issue.”