The mining record of Guatemala
336 mining licences on MEM's 2025 register, 318 of them exploitation licences, held by 284 named holders; 129 carry an expiry date already past; 284 holders carry a NIT from the 2022 base; at least 0 mining deaths reported in the press.
A register the ministry publishes but will not let a machine read, and no safety record at all. The Ministerio de Energía y Minas posts one PDF a year listing every mining licence in force (341 in 2025, exploitation and exploration, from a 1972 onyx licence in Zacapa to Escobal and Fénix) behind a bot challenge, so this page reads each yearly list from the Wayback Machine's captures and keeps the licences that drop off between lists. A January 2022 spreadsheet, the only Guatemalan file with a tax id, adds the NIT and legal representative. Deaths come from the press: the ministry's anuario has no safety chapter, the labour ministry publishes no inspections, and the IGSS counts accidents only for the formally affiliated, which sand pits and quarries are not.
Looking for US mine enforcement instead? See MSHA violations by operator. · Honduras's record · Mexico's record · Panama's record
ⓘ
Kind as the register prints it: explotación (a mining licence, up to 25 years) or exploración (up to 3 years, renewable); the register lists both as in force.ⓘ
Licences the list carries whose printed expiry date is earlier than the list's capture date. The register keeps them, which is why "in force" here means "on the list", not "unexpired".336 licences held by 284 named holders on the 2025 list, captured by the Wayback Machine on Jul 27, 2025; 2 yearly lists read so far, 348 distinct licences across them, the oldest granted in 1901. A licence that drops off a later list keeps its row, marked with the last list that carried it.
ⓘ
Rows of the BASE ACTUALIZADO DE LICENCIAS MINERAS spreadsheet MEM posted in January 2022, exploitation and exploration sheets; a one-off file the ministry has not refreshed.ⓘ
The NIT is Guatemala's tax id. It appears only in the 2022 base; the yearly register prints none, so a holder's NIT is filled where a base row for the same licence or the same licence name names the same holder.242 named holders with their NIT, legal representative and the environmental resolution (EIA) behind each licence, read once (Sep 15, 2026). It is joined to the register on the licence code or the licence name plus the holder's name, never on the code alone: the base repeats one code across two licences.
ⓘ
Counted from press headlines only; Guatemala publishes no official per-fatality mining record, so the true number is at least this.ⓘ
Events the headline itself places in a sand pit, quarry, bank of material, informal or illegal working, as against a named company's mine.Spanish-language headlines naming Guatemalan mines and places from to , read daily through Google News (last pull Sep 15, 2026) and classified by a language model against the headline's own words. Most Guatemalan mining deaths are in sand and gravel extraction, which the licence register barely covers.
MEM inspects licences and publishes nothing per licence; the Ministerio de Trabajo publishes no inspections or sanctions; the IGSS publishes occupational accidents only for affiliated workers and not by sector; the anuario minero has no safety chapter. No Guatemalan body publishes a per-fatality mining record.
Drafted, not yet filed. Guatemala's Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública (Decreto 57-2008) lets anyone file, foreigners included, and gives the ministry ten working days; the request asks MEM for its inspection, sanction and accident records per licence.
| Kind | Licences | Holders | km² | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| exploitation | 318 | 274 | 653.49 | |
| exploration | 18 | 15 | 459.25 |
Kind as the newest list prints it. Guatemala's Ley de Minería grants reconnaissance (6 months), exploration (3 years) and exploitation (25 years) licences; the yearly list carries exploration and exploitation only.
| Department | Licences | Holders | Deaths (floor) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | 63 | 57 | 0 | |
| El Progreso | 58 | 53 | 0 | |
| Zacapa | 25 | 24 | 0 | |
| Alta Verapaz | 21 | 20 | 0 | |
| Izabal | 21 | 19 | 0 | |
| Santa Rosa | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| Huehuetenango | 17 | 14 | 0 | |
| Chiquimula | 16 | 15 | 0 | |
| Baja Verapaz | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
| Quetzaltenango | 13 | 10 | 0 | |
| Jutiapa | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| Escuintla | 11 | 10 | 0 | |
| Suchitepequez | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Retalhuleu | 8 | 7 | 0 | |
| San Marcos | 8 | 5 | 0 | |
| Quiche | 7 | 7 | 0 | |
| Chimaltenango | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Jalapa | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Peten | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Quiché | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Sacatepequez | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Progreso | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Totonicapan | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Alta Vepapaz | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Licences on the newest list by department (a licence spanning two departments counts under each) and press deaths by the department the headline names; the press deaths are mostly outside any licence.
| Commodity | Licences | Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grava | 65 | 60 | |
| Arena | 46 | 44 | |
| Caliza | 38 | 36 | |
| Cantos Rodados | 38 | 34 | |
| Arena De Rio | 31 | 28 | |
| Plomo | 26 | 21 | |
| Plata | 24 | 19 | |
| Oro | 18 | 13 | |
| Basalto | 17 | 17 | |
| Yeso | 15 | 13 | |
| Zinc | 14 | 11 | |
| Caliza Marmolizada | 13 | 12 | |
| Ceniza Volcanica | 12 | 12 | |
| Cobre | 12 | 9 | |
| Cuarzo | 12 | 11 | |
| Andesita | 11 | 11 |
Each mineral the newest list names on a licence, counted once per licence; a licence naming ten minerals counts under each.
| Holder | Newest list | Earlier lists only | 2022 base | Press accidents | Minerals | Departments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUATEMARMOL, S.A NIT | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | Carbonato De Calcio Y Rocas Sedimentarias Para Ornamentacion; Marmol; Marmol (Colores: Blanco Y Gris); Serpentinita; Serpentinita (Marmol Verde) | Baja Verapaz; Baja Verapaz Y; Guatemala; Izabal; Peten; Zacapa |
| JOSE NERY ESTRADA MAYEN NIT | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | Arena, Grava Y Cantos Rodados; Arena, Grava, Cantos Rodados, Bloques De Toba Riolitica, Riolita, Cuarzo, Caliz Y Arenisca; Arena, Grava, Cantos Rodados, Bloques De Toba Riolitica, Riolita, Cuarzo, Caliza Y Arenisca; Caliza Y Caliza Dolomitica; Cenizas Volcanicas Y Rocas Pomaceas; Pomez, Cenizas Volcanicas Y Arcillas Rojas | El Progreso; Guatemala |
| PRODUCTOS MINEROS DE GUATEMALA, S.A NIT | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Arena De Rio Y Grava; Basalto,Andesita,Riolit A; Cantos Rodados, Gravas, Arenas De Rio Bernardino; Grava Y Arena De Rio; Rocas Volcanicas, Pomez Y Ceniza Volcanica | Escuintla Y Guatemala; Quetzaltenango; San Marcos; San Marcos Y Quetzaltenango; Suchitepequez |
| MINAS DE GUATEMALA, S.A NIT | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | Antimonio, Plomo, Plata Y Arsenopirita Aurífera; Antimonio, Tungsteno Y Arsenopirita Aurifera; Plomo; Polimetalicos | Huehuetenango |
| EXPLORACIONES MINERAS DE GUATEMALA, S.A NIT | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Cobre, Plomo, Zinc, Plata Y Oro; Cobre,Plomo,Zinc,Plata Y Oro; Oro Y Plata; Oro, Plata, Cobre, Plomo Y Zinc | Guatemala |
| RICARDO SOLIS MACHORRO NIT | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | Caliza Marmolizada; Marmol | El Progreso; Zacapa |
| INDACO, S.A NIT | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Arena Pomez; Arena Pomez (Blanca Y Amarilla); Arena Pomez Y Selecto Villa Nueva Y Amatitlan | Guatemala |
| JORGE MARIO ESTRADA MAYEN NIT | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Area, Grava Y Cantos Rodados; Caliza Y Caliza Dolomitica; Cantos Rodados, Gravas Y Arena De Rio | El Progreso; Escuintla |
| LOS CHOCOYOS, S.A NIT | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Caliza Marmolizada; Piedra Caliza Y Marmol Guastatoya; Piedra Caliza Y Mármol San Juan Sacatepequez | El Progreso; Guatemala |
| GUATEMALTECA DE SUMINISTROS, S.A NIT | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Bentonita; Caliza Marmolizada | Chiquimula; El Progreso; Jalapa Y Chiquimula |
| MAYANIQUEL, S.A NIT | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Niquel, Cobalto, Cromo, Platinoides, Magnesio, Oro, Plata, Cobre, Plomo, Cinc Y Tierras Raras; Niquel, Cobalto, Hierro, Cromo Y Magnesio.; Níquel, Cobalto, Platino, Cadmio, Cromo, Oro, Plata, Cobre, Cinc, Plomo, Molibdeno, Magnesio Y Minerales Del Grupo Del Platino Morales | Alta Verapaz; Alta Verapaz E Izabal; Izabal |
| MINERA QUETZAL, S.A NIT | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Calcopirita Y Sulfuros Polimetalicos De Cobre, Hierro Y Zinc; Galena, Smithsonita, Cerusita, Plomo, Plata Y Zinc; Psilomelano, Pirolusita Y Hematita | Alta Verapaz; Baja Verapaz; Huehuetenango |
| COMPAÑIA GUATEMALTECA DE NIQUEL, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Niquel Y Hierro; Niquel, Cromo, Cobalto, Hierro Y Magnesio | Izabal |
| HIGINIO NAPOLEON RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ NIT | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Yeso | Huehuetenango |
| CABAN, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Arcilla (Grupo: Caolinita, Illita Y Montmorillonita); Lutita Ferruginosa | El Progreso; Elprogreso |
| COMUNIDAD SANTA ELENA NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Yeso | Alta Verapaz; Alta Verapaz Y Quiché |
| INVERPIT DE GUATEMALA, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Magnesita, Atapulguita Livingston; Yeso | Izabal; Quiche |
| JAIME ARMANDO GARCIA CURLEY NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Caliza | Izabal |
| JORGE GUTIERREZ NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Arena De Aluvion, Cantos Rodados Y Grava.; Arena Y Grava | San Marcos; Suchitepequez |
| JOYAS SILVIA, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Jade (Jadeita Y Nefrita) Usumatlan; Jadeita Y Nefrita | El Progreso Y Zacapa; Zacapa |
| MINERALES EFESO, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Arcillas (Grupos De Caolinita, Illita Y Montmorillonita); Minerales De Arcilla (Grupos De La Caolinita, Illita, Montmorillonita) | Chiquimula; Izabal |
| PEDRO GREGORIO VICENTE TORRES NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Arena Blanca; Piedra Pomez | Quetzaltenango |
| SIERRA NEGRA, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Arena,Grava,Pomez,Bas Alto,Andecita Y Arena Volcanica; Piedra Caliza, Dolomita. Darcita, Riolita Y Arcilla | Chimaltenango; Guatemala |
| MONTANA EXPLORADORA DE GUATEMALA, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Oro Y Plata; Oro Y Plata, Zinc, Plomo, Hierro, Cobre Y San Miguel Ixtahuacan Y Mercurio | San Marcos |
| INGENIO TULULA, S. A | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Arena De Rio, Grava Y Cantos Rodados; Arena De Rio, Grava, Cantos Rodados Y Ceniza Volcanica | Retalhuleu; Retalhuleu Y Suchitepequez |
| PEÑA RUBIA, S.A NIT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Caliza, Dolomita Y Arena Silicea; Piedra Dolomitica, Piedra Caliza, Arena Volcanica Y Esquisto La Paz | El Progreso; Guatemala |
| PRODUCTOS MINEROS DE GUATEMALA, S. A NIT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cantos Rodados, Gravas Y Arenas De Rio Idolo; Toba, Basalto, Pomez Y Piedra Caliza. | Guatemala; Suchitepequez |
| PRODUCTOS MINEROS DE GUATEMALA, S.A. (PROMINAS) NIT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Arena Y Grava; Rocas Vocanicas, Andesiticas Y Basalticas | Escuintla Y Guatemala; Guatemala Y Escuintla |
| JOHN GLADDEN CLEARY NIT | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Jade | Jalapa |
| PABLO ARTURO CHUY FLORES NIT | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Arena, Grava Y Material Selecto(Ceniza Volcanica) | Santa Rosa |
Ranked by press events, licences on the newest list, licences across every list and 2022 base rows. Every holder has a page; this table shows the top of the ranking. NIT marks a holder the 2022 base identifies by tax id.
Ministerio de Energía y Minas, Dirección General de Minería (via the Wayback Machine) — BASE ACTUALIZADO DE LICENCIAS MINERAS (XLSX, January 2022): 303 records, fetched Sep 15, 2026. →
Ministerio de Energía y Minas, Dirección General de Minería (via the Wayback Machine) — LICENCIAS MINERAS <year> (PDF), every capture: 348 records, fetched Sep 15, 2026. →
Both files are read from the Wayback Machine because mem.gob.gt answers scripted requests with a bot challenge; the register PDF is read with pdftotext -layout and a column parser (the list glues adjacent columns with a single space and wraps long cells onto the lines above the row number). A new yearly list lands here once the Wayback Machine has crawled it.