Mexico implements mercury management plan and seeks protection for marine minerals

Mexico is advancing new regulatory frameworks to manage hazardous substances and protect strategic marine resources. The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has introduced the ‘National Plan for Integral Mercury Management 2026-2030’. This initiative aims to reduce mercury emissions, which currently reach approximately 1,200 tons annually through mining and chemical manufacturing, by implementing strategies for risk prevention, waste management, and the remediation of contaminated sites.

In a separate legislative move, Deputy Magdalena Rosales Cruz has proposed a constitutional amendment to protect polymetallic nodules located on Mexico’s submarine platform. These deep-sea minerals, rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper, are essential for green energy technologies. The proposal seeks to establish a legal framework to safeguard these resources in the Pacific Ocean, particularly in areas near the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, amid concerns regarding potential resource competition and maritime exploitation by the United States.