Latin America tightens mining regulations amid environmental and indigenous concerns

Mexico's environmental ministry (Semarnat) issued an agreement that bars new environmental permits for mining activities inside federally protected natural areas. The measure follows a July 3 Supreme Court ruling that the 2023 mining law reforms do not violate the principle of retroactivity, effectively ending the possibility of granting permits even to firms with pre‑2023 concessions.

In Argentina's Mendoza province, the government updated its protocol for prior consultation with Indigenous communities after a mapuche organization challenged the original process. The revised protocol introduces greater flexibility, extended timelines and provisions for mediators to better reflect cultural and territorial specificities.

Colombia approved Decree 0742, establishing a comprehensive framework for the closure of mining projects. The regulation mandates environmental remediation, labor transition plans, financial guarantees and community participation to ensure mines are shut down responsibly.

Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines amended its Environmental Protection Regulation for mining exploration, streamlining impact‑assessment procedures, expanding the threshold for simplified declarations and tightening deadlines for document admissibility.

Together, these actions signal a broader regional shift toward stricter oversight of mining, increased protection of ecosystems and Indigenous rights, and stronger standards for the lifecycle management of extractive projects.