Chinese tile manufacturer in Mexico accused of illegal water use during drought
- Time Ceramics of Fujian province arrived in Hidalgo last year with hopes of boosting local economy, but residents say company’s activities have hurt area’s water supply
A major Chinese tile manufacturer that arrived in Mexico last year offering a boost to the local economy now faces a possible shutdown after farmers there said the company has been illegally extracting water during a severe drought.
Time Ceramics, a multinational company originally from Fujian province, announced in 2023 it would build a plant in the small town of Emiliano Zapata in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo; the company said it was investing US$150 million in the plant, which spans nearly 81 hectares (200 acres), and expected to create more than 1,800 jobs.
Yet for months, local residents have accused Time of unlawfully exploiting natural resources and harming the region’s water supply, which is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its history.
On Tuesday, to draw international attention to the issue, a group of Mexican farmers held a news conference in Los Angeles in the United States, claiming that at least 100,000 people are affected by the company’s activities.
Gumaro Zamorano, leader of the farmer group, said that the company was using the water to manufacture tiles and ceramics.
He said that residents of Emiliano Zapata had discovered nearly 40 extraction pipes since last year.