Coal mining in Mexico

Industrial coal mining in Mexico first dates to the year 1884 at the Sabinas basin, in the northern border state of Coahuila.

The mining operations were notable for their poor working conditions, high accident rates and large numbers of worker fatalities.

Annual coal production peaked in 1925 at 1.45 million tons, declined in the 1930s, then surged again because of the demand for steel during World War II.

[5] As of 2013 Mexico ranked 25th among nations of the world in terms of proved recoverable coal reserves,[6] with 1.3 billion tons.

[13] In the same years, Porfirian mining reform laws in 1884 and 1892 scrapped colonial-era doctrine and established mineral rights for landowners, which revived the entire industry and attracted more foreign capital.

[14] In 1905, after Huntington's death, the largest producer in the region had become William Ludlow's Mexican Coal & Coke Company, incorporated in New Jersey.

"[16] British industrialist William Broderick Cloete was also active in the region as an owner of land, rails, and coal mines.

[22] By November 1920 coal workers had organized under the Mexican Federation of Miners, and struck, successfully, for wage increases.