Maya Train Mining Ravages Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve

San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, Mexico — The Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, a protected area in Veracruz, Mexico, is facing severe ecological damage due to mining projects supplying materials for the Maya Train, a flagship infrastructure initiative of the Mexican government. Local residents, scientists, and environmentalists report deforestation, habitat destruction, and illegal extraction of volcanic rock, known as ballast, which is used to stabilize the train’s tracks.

A Fragile Ecosystem Under Siege

José Luis Montero, who grew up near the reserve, recalls the dense fog forests and tropical jungles that once dominated the landscape. Now, he witnesses excavators digging day and night, removing stone and sand from the hills. "We see armadillos, anteaters, and birds that never used to come down to lower areas. It’s alarming because they’re fleeing—their homes are being destroyed," he says.

Declared a protected area in 1998, the Los Tuxtlas Reserve spans over 155,000 hectares, with only 20% designated as a core conservation zone. The remaining 80% is a buffer area, where mining activities have proliferated. Since 2014, at least 12 extraction projects have operated in the buffer zone, some supplying ballast for the Maya Train.

Illegal Mining and Government Inaction

One of the most affected areas is Cerro Balzapote, where four open-pit mines extract volcanic rock. This hill is home to 60 mammal species, including over 300 spider monkeys, and serves as a critical biological corridor. In 2014, ten scientists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) warned against authorizing mining here, citing irreversible ecological harm. Despite their objections, permits were granted, and extraction intensified in 2021 to meet demand for the Maya Train.

The company responsible was fined $85,000 and temporarily shut down for operating without proper environmental permits. However, satellite imagery shows continued excavation. According to transparency requests, only half of the 15 mining projects in the reserve have valid permits.

Deforestation and Water Contamination

Global Forest Watch data reveals that Los Tuxtlas lost 794 hectares of primary humid forest between 2002 and 2023—15% of its total forest cover. Additional threats include tobacco farming and cattle ranching, which occupy over 4,000 hectares within the reserve. Agrochemicals from tobacco plantations have contaminated rivers, further endangering wildlife.

Karina Boege Paré, a UNAM researcher, highlights the disconnect between mountain ecosystems and nearby urban areas. "San Andrés Tuxtla depends on water from the San Martín volcano. Last year, the town went without water for a week because deforestation clogged the pipes," she says.

Lack of Enforcement and Safety Concerns

The reserve has been without a federal environmental inspector since 2015, when the last officer disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Despite an annual budget of $108,000 for surveillance, illegal activities continue unchecked. Activists fear retaliation for speaking out, as local authorities have failed to enforce protections.

Community-Led Conservation Efforts

Despite the challenges, grassroots initiatives offer hope. Patricia Escalante, a UNAM biologist, reintroduced 250 scarlet macaws to the area after a 60-year absence. Other projects include reforestation, sustainable farming, and mangrove restoration in the Laguna de Sontecomapan.

José Luis Montero has adopted sustainable ranching practices and reforested parts of his land. "We’ve planted native trees and let some areas regenerate naturally. It’s proof that recovery is possible," he says.

Urgent Calls for Accountability

Environmentalists demand stricter enforcement and corporate accountability. "The Maya Train is a national priority, but that doesn’t justify ignoring environmental laws," says Patricia Escalante. "Without proper oversight, this reserve will keep deteriorating."

As mining and deforestation persist, the future of Los Tuxtlas hangs in the balance, with local communities and scientists racing to save one of Mexico’s last tropical ecosystems.