Abstract

ORTEGA-ARRIAGA, Paloma; LOPEZ MORALES, Carlos Andrés; CABALLERO GUENDULAIN, Karina  and  ORTEGA-RUBIO, Alfredo. Mining versus conservation of ecosystem services: the case of Sierra La Laguna. Econ. soc. territ [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.72, pp.467-491.  Epub June 16, 2023. ISSN 2448-6183.  https://doi.org/10.22136/est20231802.

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 consider environmental costs. The valuation of ecosystem services must support decisionmaking which is crucial to politically install the debate on the environmental liabilities generated by the activity.

Keywords : economic assessment; ecosystem services; mining; Biosphere Reserve; Baja California Sur.

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