Germán Larrea

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on February 19, 2006, a methane explosion ripped through the Pasta de Conchos coal mine near Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, trapping 65 workers. The mine was operated by Grupo México. The company and the union had jointly certified it safe 12 days before the explosion. Workers had gone on strike against Grupo México at least 14 times over safety concerns prior to the disaster. Only 2 bodies were ever recovered. In April 2007, Grupo México suspended the rescue operation, claiming it posed danger to rescuers — and cemented over the mine entrance. Families of the 63 remaining workers fought for body recovery for nearly two decades. Under sustained community and government pressure, Grupo México eventually ceded the mine concession to the Mexican government. Bodies are still being recovered as of 2026. No criminal charges have been brought against Larrea or Grupo México in connection with the deaths.

• —February 19, 2006: methane explosion at 2:30 a.m. 65 workers trapped.
• —The mine had been jointly certified safe by Grupo México and the union 12 days before the explosion.
• —Workers had struck Grupo México at least 14 times over safety concerns prior to the disaster.
• —Only 2 bodies recovered. Grupo México suspended rescue April 2007 — claiming rescuer danger.
• —Company cemented over the mine entrance, ending the recovery effort over families' objections.
• —Larrea reportedly declined to attend the funeral of a rescue worker who died during the operation.
• —Grupo México eventually ceded the concession to the Mexican government under sustained pressure.
• —Bodies still being recovered in 2026 — nearly 20 years after the explosion.
• —Zero criminal charges against Larrea or Grupo México.

On August 6, 2014, Grupo México's Buenavista del Cobre mine released more than 40,000 cubic meters (10.5 million gallons) of copper sulfate solution into the Sonora and Bacanuchi Rivers — the worst recorded mining environmental disaster in Mexican history. The spill contaminated the water supply for over 20,000 people across seven municipal districts. Residents reported contaminated wells, dead livestock, skin lesions, and gastrointestinal illness from toxic exposure. Critics alleged the disaster occurred because undertrained contractors — brought in to replace striking workers — mishandled copper sulfate storage equipment during a rainstorm. Grupo México agreed to a $150 million trust for reparations. In January 2020, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the reparations "were not adequate." As of 2026, the long-term health and environmental impacts on affected communities remain documented and contested. No criminal charges have been brought against Larrea or Grupo México.

• —August 6, 2014: Buenavista del Cobre mine released 40,000+ cubic meters of copper sulfate.
• —Contaminated Sonora and Bacanuchi Rivers — Mexico's worst mining environmental disaster on record.
• —20,000+ people across 7 municipal districts affected. Water supplies contaminated.
• —Reported impacts: dead livestock, skin lesions, gastrointestinal illness, contaminated wells.
• —Critics: undertrained replacement contractors mishandled copper sulfate storage during rain.
• —$150M reparations trust agreed. January 2020: Mexican Supreme Court ruled unanimously it was "not adequate."
• —Long-term health and environmental monitoring documented ongoing community harm.
• —No criminal charges brought against Larrea or Grupo México.

In July 2007, 1,300 workers at Grupo México's Cananea copper mine — one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world — launched a strike over health and safety conditions: cancer-causing silica dust, insufficient ventilation, and inadequate protective equipment. The workers were members of Los Mineros (National Miners' Union, Section 65). Rather than negotiate, Larrea's response was escalating state violence. In 2008, police deployed tear gas against strikers, injuring 20. On June 6, 2010, 3,500 federal and state police forcibly evicted striking miners from the mine and the union hall — tear gas was fired directly into the hall where workers had taken shelter. Union records document that at least 52 workers died during the prolonged dispute — through violence, illness related to conditions, and attrition. The strike lasted nearly 18 years. A final settlement was reached in 2025, providing compensation, social security, and pensions — not because Larrea chose to negotiate, but because the workers outlasted him.

• —July 2007: 1,300 workers struck Cananea copper mine over silica dust, inadequate ventilation, insufficient safety equipment.
• —2008: Police deployed tear gas against strikers. 20 workers injured.
• —June 6, 2010: 3,500 federal and state police forcibly evicted miners. Tear gas fired into union hall.
• —At least 52 workers died during the 18-year dispute, per union records.
• —Cananea is one of the world's largest open-pit copper mines — producing revenues that directly funded Larrea's $30B fortune throughout the strike.
• —Strike lasted nearly 18 years. Settlement reached in 2025: compensation, social security, pensions.
• —Settlement came after decades of attrition — not negotiation. The workers outlasted Larrea's refusal.
• —AFL-CIO and United Steelworkers condemned the government attack on miners as state violence in service of corporate interests.