# Mexico marine mineral and mercury regulation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-marine-mineral-and-mercury-regulation
> Updated: 2026-09-19T21:48:25.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Mexico is advancing regulatory and constitutional measures to manage hazardous substances and secure control over strategic marine resources. The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) introduced the ‘National Plan for Integral Mercury Management 2026-2030’ to reduce annual mercury emissions from mining and chemical manufacturing through waste management and site remediation.

Simultaneously, legislative efforts have emerged to protect seabed minerals. Deputy Magdalena Rosales Cruz proposed constitutional amendments to Articles 27 and 28 to safeguard polymetallic nodules—rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper—located on Mexico’s submarine platform. These proposals aim to prevent foreign powers, specifically citing concerns regarding the United States, from monopolizing resources in the Pacific Ocean near the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The initiative mandates that any future extraction of these minerals, which are vital for green energy technologies, must utilize clean technologies to ensure zero damage to marine ecosystems.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: Mexico legislators propose reforms for mineral sovereignty and child digital protection

Mexican deputies have proposed reforms to protect seabed mineral sovereignty from foreign interests and to prevent the digital economic exploitation of minors through commercial sharenting.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-legislators-propose-reforms-for-mineral-sovereignty-and-child-digital-protection

### 2026-09-18: Mexico implements mercury management plan and seeks protection for marine minerals

Mexico introduces a national plan to manage mercury emissions and proposes constitutional protections for deep-sea polymetallic nodules vital for green energy technologies.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-implements-mercury-management-plan-and-seeks-protection-for-marine-minerals

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Cite as: Mexico marine mineral and mercury regulation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-marine-mineral-and-mercury-regulation
