Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced that construction will begin in January 2026 on the projects outlined in the Justice Plan for Cananea, Sonora. This initiative follows 18 years of labor conflict at the Cananea mine and includes a joint investment of 2.22 billion pesos in health, environmental remediation, and water access projects.
Key developments include the conversion of the Community Hospital into a new Regional Hospital in Ures, the creation of an Epidemiological Surveillance Monitoring Unit, and a Specialized Laboratory for Heavy Metals. The plan also provides for comprehensive medical monitoring and care for populations affected by the contamination of the Sonora River.
In terms of water infrastructure, the government will build 16 new water treatment plants and rehabilitate six existing ones. Sixteen disinfection systems will be installed, along with a permanent water quality monitoring center featuring automated stations and 42 manual control points. These efforts aim to benefit more than 20,000 people in 38 communities across eight municipalities.
Environmental remediation actions include the assessment of contaminated sites, sediment disposal, ecological restoration, and the installation of a laboratory in Hermosillo capable of measuring 64 parameters in real time. These measures seek to address the damage caused by the 2014 copper sulfate spill, which affected 20,000 residents in five municipalities.
The Justice Plan was made possible by two agreements signed in December 2025: the end of the strike by Section 65 of the Mining Union and an interagency commitment to address environmental, health, and water issues. President Sheinbaum expressed her gratitude to all parties involved, while Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo emphasized that these efforts represent long-awaited justice for local workers and residents.
