Mining versus conservation of ecosystem services: the case of Sierra La Laguna

We present an economic assessment of the loss of ecosystem services associated with the operation of an open pit mining project in the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve. The mining project would offer immense economic benefit concentrated in a few agents outside the country, whilst generating substantial environmental costs in Mexico for several generations. This shows that in mining valuations, it is essential to consi-der environmental costs. The valuation of ecosystem services must support decision-making which is crucial to politically install the debate on the environmental liabilities generated by the activity.

Automated summary

This article presents an economic assessment of the impact of an open pit mining project on the ecosystem services in the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve. The project would bring significant economic benefits to a few agents outside the country, but impose substantial environmental costs on Mexico for many generations. It highlights the importance of considering environmental costs in mining valuations and the need for the valuation of ecosystem services to inform decision-making and stimulate debate on the environmental liabilities arising from such activities.