MxMining

Like it or not there is still a lot of illicit product producing areas in Mexico and since miners are explorers too, we get into areas that aren't regularly traversed by the normal populous. While I've never personally had a problem in any area or with any people I believe it would be pretty easy to get into if your presence wasn't announced before hand.

The overwhelming aroma of a nearby plantation is more often than not a signal that you should be making some noise to announce your presence so as not startle anybody nearby. Fact is - you're in somebody else's territory and if you want their blessing and the ability to stay there in peace you're best advice is to ignore these going ons as much as possible. Announcement of your movements and plans well ahead of time is also appreciated by the local populous as they will usually move their business, at least temporarily, if they have enough notice.

Bigger than the problem with these small operations being within your working environment is that as an employer there is competition for local labor. There's not always roads or trails to the areas where explorers go and just out of safety bringing someone that knows the people and the area is always a good idea. There's always the matter of packing out your samples or cutting through the sometimes jungle like brush that always pokes and tears at your skin - you want to concentrate on your exploration work so hiring someone local to help you will make you more productive.

The problem arises when you try and find somebody local to help you with labour it's sometimes very difficult because the illicit trade pays fairly well and for the most part it's not hard physical labour.

One thing to remember about working in these areas is the people who have plantations are usually working in this trade out of necessity rather than to make a quick buck.

For many years these places remained inaccessible except for by walking or mule. These areas had no electricity, phone or cellular service and now that times have changed these things are all available to them.

You have people out there in the sierra that want vehicles, refrigeration, electricity, cellular phones and everything that comes along with modernization. All of these modern things became available to them very quickly and without a lot of time for a general change in culture or local economy.

Local economy is the key - there exists very fews ways to make money in the sierra that would support a modern way of life.

A more modern way of life is accessible but difficult to pay for and the illicit trade bridges that gap very easily. Planting a few crops is suddenly seen as the bridge to a more modern way of life and if being labour for a mining or exploration company is only going to pay 200 pesos a day it's difficult to give that up for the more than double they would make in the illicit trade.