Federalism, legal mobilization and conflicts against large-scale mining in Mexico

This article examines four conflicts arising from large-scale mining in Mexico between 1995 and 2018 to observe how the federal architecture of the country impacts the legal mobilization strategies of communities affected by mining extraction projects. We distinguish the community level as a form of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pavel Martínez, Ulises
Format: Online
Language:spa
Published: Centro de Estudios Avanzados 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/restudios/article/view/44522
Description
Summary:This article examines four conflicts arising from large-scale mining in Mexico between 1995 and 2018 to observe how the federal architecture of the country impacts the legal mobilization strategies of communities affected by mining extraction projects. We distinguish the community level as a form of social and political organization not established in laws but implemented in the practices of agrarian communities and indigenous peoples in Mexico. We found that, in Mexico’s legal framework, the community, municipal, and federal levels have been the most relevant concerning legal mobilization against mining extraction projects. The role of community and municipal authorities is crucial to the success of struggles against mega-mining. However, at times, the federal government may utilize legal mechanisms such as temporary occupation to initiate mining projects even when the affected community disagrees.