Table I shows the number and extent of the mining properties in the several states on December 31, 1920. It will be seen that the four chief mining states, from the standpoint of the area of mining claims, are Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango and Zacatecas, in the order named. *The figures do not include twelve properties with a surface area of 20,627 hectares granted to the Compagnie du Boleo under special concession. Table II, showing the number and extent of the mining claims. allowed during the first half of 1920, is printed here because it also lists the kinds of minerals of commercial importance in the various states: (For further information on mineral distribution see Map No. 2.) Virtually all of the non-precious metals produced in Mexico. are exported to other countries, chiefly to the United States. A large part of the silver also goes abroad. Almost no gold was retained in the country prior to 1917, when its export was restricted by law. Table IV shows the relation between production and export of gold and silver from 1910 to 1919: 1. SILVER-LEAD No. of Furnaces 7 Company American Smelting & Ref. Co., Monterrey (Nuevo Leon). . . . . . 10 Amer. Smelting & Ref. Co., Aguascalientes (Aguascalientes).. 1 American Securities Co., Chihuahua (Chihuahua). Compañia Metalurgica Mexicana, Velardeña (Durango)... 3 Compañia Metalurgica de Torreon, San Luis Potosi (San L. P.). 10 Compañia Metalurgica de Torreon, Torreon (Coahuila). Compañia Minera de Penoles, Mapimi (Durango).... 8 6 2. COPPER Am. Smelting & Ref. Co., Aguascalientes.. .10 3 3 Compagnie du Boleo, Santa Rosalia (Lower Cal.).. 8 Cananea Consolidated Copper Co., Cananea (Sonora) Mazapil Copper Co., Concepcion del Oro (Zacatecas) 4 Tezuitlan Copper Mining and Smelting Co., Tezuitlan (Puebla) 2 Compañia Metalurgica de Torreon, Torreon.. 2 IV. TAXATION On June 27, 1919, a new schedule of mining taxes was put into effect by executive decree, superseding the existing rates. Since that date, certain changes have been made in individual items, but the general law remains the same. The tax, with its subsequent amendments, subjects the mining industry to three forms of imposts, namely, a pertenencia, or property tax; a production tax; and assay, refining, and coinage fees. A. PERTENENCIA TAX 1. Title or stamp tax of $10 gold (Mexican) per pertenencia when title is issued. 2. Annual tax on each pertenencia in a property according to the following schedule: 1 to 5 pertenencias. 6 to 50 51 to 100 Over 100 66 66 This tax is payable every four months (tercio). By a decree of July 5, 1919, the penalty for delinquency was fixed as follows: Tax payable first month of every tercio Second month.. 10% added If the tax remain unpaid after four months the title is subject to cancellation. B. PRODUCTION TAX Gold and silver presented at the mint. .7% ad valorem .8% Gold and silver partially refined before export. .7% ite and mercury.. ...1% 66 66 Zine, antimony, and other metals not elsewhere provided for.... (The Secretary of the Treasury publishes monthly a schedule of quotations by which export valuations are fixed. See D. below.) By a decree of June 23, 1920, the tax on silver was materially lowered, and on December 30th President Obregón made a still more drastic reduction. Under the new schedule, given below, a variable rate was established, based upon quotations of the metal in the New York market. |