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Mexican president dismiss expropriating Vulcan's mine however keeps land closure

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday ruled out expropriating U.S. building and construction company Vulcan Materials' mine however stated the land where it runs would stay closed until at least the end of his term.

Speaking at his regular press conference, Lopez Obrador implicated the business, which draws out limestone in southern part of the country, of environmental damage. The business has denied these accusations.

As long as I'm president, we're not going to permit the environment to be damaged, Lopez Obrador said.

Mexican officials bought a stop to limestone quarrying at Vulcan's mining system in the seaside state of Quintana Roo in 2022, alleging environmental damages by the company. Quintana Roo is located on the Yucatan Peninsula and includes popular traveler destinations such as Cancun and Cozumel.

Vulcan Materials called the shutdown orders unexpected and prohibited. Ever since, it has been unable to export its production and is demanding over $1.5 billion in compensation through the International Centre for Settlement of Financial Investment Disputes ( ICSID).

The company did not immediately reply to an ask for comment on the president's fresh remarks.

Stress rose in 2015, when the company revealed Mexican security forces seized its port terminal in southern Mexico.

Last year, Lopez Obrador also set out plans to use 6.5 billion pesos ($ 391.20 million) to purchase the land where Vulcan Products operates and solve the disagreement.

The site is closed and they'll not be able to work, Lopez Obrador stated on Wednesday.

(source: Reuters)