Mexico mineral supply to the United States, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico): Mexico is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of minerals for North America, standing out in global production of essential resources for industries such as automotive, energy, technology and infrastructure.
The country produces 28 minerals considered essential to regional competitiveness and 12 of those classified as critical by the United States, strengthening its role in the regional supply chains.
According to data provided by CANIMEX in its 2026 sustainability report, Mexico ranks first worldwide in silver production, second in fluorite, third in wollastonite and sodium sulfate, fourth in celestite, and fifth in molybdenum and zinc.
Mexico also ranks among the top ten global producers of barite, lead, gold, copper, manganese, magnesium, salt and gypsum.
This productive capacity represents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s participation in North American industrial supply chains, particularly amid growing demand for raw materials for new technologies and the energy transition.
Mexico’s importance is also reflected in its mineral supply to the U.S. market.
According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), cited in the document, Mexico is the leading supplier of fluorite and silver to the United States.
The information highlights the following levels of participation: fluorite, where the United States depends entirely on imports and Mexico ranks first as a supplier with 64 percent; graphite, with 100 percent import dependence and Mexico in fourth place with 12 percent; manganese, with 100 percent dependence and Mexico as the third supplier with 12 percent; silver, with 77 percent import dependence and Mexico first with 47 percent; barite, with 75 percent dependence and Mexico fourth with 14 percent; and zinc, with 73 percent dependence and Mexico second with 33 percent.
These minerals are used in a range of industrial activities, from steel manufacturing and construction to the chemical, automotive and technology sectors.
The relevance of this industry also extends to the domestic market. A study by the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE), cited in the document, indicates that mining supplies 192 productive sectors.
Its inputs are fundamental to construction, manufacturing, machinery production, the automotive industry, and the development of energy and technology infrastructure.
In this scenario, geographic proximity to the United States and North American trade integration represent advantages for strengthening regional supply chains, reducing vulnerabilities and improving competitiveness against other international markets.
Rising global demand for minerals also poses the challenge of promoting mining activity that meets standards of environmental and social responsibility.
The document emphasizes that sustainability must be part of the sector’s competitiveness, through ecosystem protection, decent working conditions, regional development and community well-being.
It also notes that strengthening exploration, investment and mining projects can expand Mexico’s productive capacity and help ensure the supply of essential minerals.
In this way, Mexican mining represents a strategic component of North American economic integration and industrial development linked to the USMCA, in a context where the energy transition and new technologies are increasing demand for mineral resources.
