In English - Cartels control activities of mining companies in Mexico: Rob McEwen - El Universal

Rob McEwen said that his company has a good relationship with the cartels. (Photo: SPECIAL )

Canadian businessman Rob McEwen, chairman and CEO of McEwen Mining Inc., said that whenever his company wishes to do prospecting work in a given area in Mexico, they have to check with the local cartels first. In an interview with Canadian media company Business News Network, he explained that his mining business has a "good relationship" with the cartels. When asked if the company is in a dangerous part of Mexico, McEwen responded that "the cartels are active down there, generally we have a good relationship with them. If you want to go towards somewhere you ask them and they'll tell you 'no'. But, then they'll say 'come back in a couple of weeks, when we have finished what we are doing'". McEwen added that he doesn't know if the cartels are transporting or harvesting drugs because those activities are generally done high in the mountains, while prospecting is generally conducted on the ground level. Shares of McEwen Mining fell Thursday after the company reported the theft of nearly a ton of gold concentrate from its mine in the municipality of Mocorito, in the state of Sinaloa, on April 7. The concentrate is a black powder which is melted and produces around 7,000 pounds of gold. McEwen added that insurance will not be enough to cover the loss. Other companies affected by robberies are Torex Gold and Gold Corp., both in the state of Guerrero. McEwen Mining, from Toronto, has operations in Argentina, the U.S. and Mexico.