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COMMUNITY, LAND TENURE CONSIDERATIONS FOR EFFICIENT DEVELOPMENT PETER MEGAW Chief Exploration Officer at MAG Silver
150
Q: How is the industry likely to evolve during the López
loss and a lot of operations are suffering. We understand
Obrador administration?
what these special mining royalties should be used for,
A: We have yet to determine how the new administration
but it would be nice to see them actually invested that
is going to affect mining operations and the regulatory
way. I think this fiscal structure should be more flexible
environment, but I hope it will have a positive impact on
and there should be more creative ways to deal with these
the industry’s growth. The big industry challenge I perceive
expenditures. To have government deciding how this
is to define what the realities of operating under this
money is deployed locally, as opposed to having the locals
new administration will be like and to foster a feeling of
deciding, may not be the best way. There should also be
ownership in mining workers so they have a sense of having
ways for companies to deduct what they spend directly on
dignified and well-paid jobs in areas where work is often
community development from the royalties so they are not
scarce. We must also make the people more aware of the
essentially paying twice for this work, especially when it is
realities of modern mining, which is an environment that is
done in concert with the local communities.
well-lit, clean, healthy and as safe as we can make it. Q: What is your assessment of the data provided by the The previous administration implemented very stiff royalties
Mexican Geological Service and its utility in supporting
that have had a major impact on the companies operating
exploration?
in the country. These, combined with slightly depressed
A: I think that the Mexican Geological Service has a
metal prices, make the difference between profitability and
tremendous, very-well organized database with easy-
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REIMAGINING THE DESIGN OF MINES THROUGH GEOSYNTHETICS MIGUEL ANDRÉS ROZO General Manager of TDM Q: As an international company, how is TDM adapting to
by expanding and offering engineering advice on mine
the needs of the Mexican mining industry?
design and planning to complement our commercialization
A: We entered the industry here in 2017 and used to focus
of synthetic products. This change of perspective has
solely on mine closures. Our main intervention in the
been a success so far and we have already signed our first
market was to commercialize geomembranes, lixiviation
contract of integrated services with Metallorum. We are
pads and leaching pads, but we realized that there were
helping it develop its initial expansion phase. This is our
many companies already providing the same services. TDM
first big project in Mexico and we are competing to acquire
additionally found that the market needed more integrated
other projects in mine design with other large mining
and complex services. This is particularly important in
companies in the country.
Mexico as the country is also competing with others in North America due to its geographic positioning. We
Q: What challenges do miners face in different phases of a
decided to take advantage of the market more intelligently
project and how can you help solve these issues?
