Sonora River cleanup begins 12 years after spill; 654 million pesos to be invested

After 12 years, a new phase of environmental remediation is beginning for the Sonora River basin, following one of Mexico's worst mining disasters. The Mexican federal government and the Sonora state government have announced an initial investment of 654 million pesos (approximately $36 million USD) to address the consequences of the 2014 spill from Grupo México's Buenavista del Cobre mine.

This comprehensive effort, presented as the first integrated action of its kind, will commence in September 2026 and continue through December of that year. Key activities will include the characterization, sampling, removal, treatment, and disposal of potentially contaminated soils and sediments along the affected river system. The announcement was made in Ures, a municipality impacted by the spill, where residents and basin committee representatives voiced concerns about the scope of the remediation, site selection, and ongoing environmental monitoring.

The devastating spill occurred on August 6, 2014, when over 40 million liters of acidic solution containing heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead were released from the mine. The contaminants flowed through the Bacanuchi and Sonora rivers, affecting numerous municipalities and reaching the rural area of Hermosillo. The toxic plume was eventually contained in the El Molinito dam, a vital water source for thousands.

Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño acknowledged the deep-seated distrust within affected communities, stemming from a decade of perceived insufficient response. He stated that President Claudia Sheinbaum has directed the creation of a detailed program with timelines, resources, and responsible parties to tackle the Sonora River issue. Durazo assured that both federal and state governments would maintain dialogue with the affected populations, recognizing their right to doubt after so many years without a complete solution.

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After 12 years, they have the right to doubt.