One of the various mining unions at the idled steel company Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) reported that a rival union blocked access to one of the company's largest deposits, causing "tens of millions of dollars" in damage.
"Similar to (Congressman Napoleón) Gómez Urrutia seized the Hércules mining complex," the National Democratic Union of Mining, Metallurgical, and Steel Workers (Democratic Union) reported in a press release.
Gómez is controversial leader of the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMSSRM).
According to the press release, Gómez's union hijacked the access roads to the mining complex and illegally entered the mining company's facilities. That mine is in the legal process of financial restructuring, something similar to Chapter XI of the United States Bankruptcy Law.
“The situation is very serious because they suspended the pumping system (of the mine) and caused the deposit to flood. They damaged very expensive vehicles and equipment. They also stole cables, machinery, and various equipment, which will cost tens of millions of dollars and a long time to correct,” the statement said.
The illegal acts were reported to the local authorities (State Attorney General's Office), however there was no response to AHMSA's request. The blocking of the access roads began a few months ago.
AHMSA accused the union leader Gómez of operating the same as against other companies "generating violence and stopping the companies" in the states of Zacatecas, Guerrero, Sonora, among others.
Last week, the mining giant Grupo México, one of the largest copper producers in the world, reported in a statement sent to the Mexican and United States stock markets that Gómez "kept the San Juan mining unit closed for more than eleven years."
In addition, Grupo México said that the union leader and Senator of the Republic for the political party of the President of the Republic, MORENA, is trying to distract himself to avoid responding to the "definitive award that sentences him to pay $55 million, plus returns accumulated since 2005, to Cananea former mining workers.”