Cemex Nicaragua received a 25-year extension to explore and exploit limestone in a 909-hectare plot in San Rafael del Sur, Managua, a concession that allows it to maintain the supply of the main raw material for cement production. The validity began on October 30, 2026, when the General Directorate of Mines of the Attorney General's Office certified the title.
The authorization was signed on October 15 by Halminthon Espinoza, Director General of Mines, and was formally accepted by the company on October 29. The area, called "Cement Plant Limestone Exploration," is delimited by a polygon of 18 vertices and grants exclusivity for exploration, exploitation, and the eventual installation of mineral processing plants within its perimeter.
The company must pay USD 12 per hectare as validity or surface fees, in two annual installments during January and July. It will also have to pay a royalty equivalent to 3% of the value of the extracted substances and submit monthly production reports within the first 15 days of the following month.
Environmental, tax, and land access obligations
The extension was granted after Cemex Nicaragua demonstrated compliance with its tax obligations, the submission of reports and work plans, and the obtaining of an environmental permit. The Attorney General's Office stated that the company…
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Cemex Nicaragua obtained a 25-year extension for the exploitation of limestone in 909 hectares of San Rafael del Sur. (Image courtesy)
Cemex Nicaragua received a 25-year extension to explore and exploit limestone in a 909-hectare lot in San Rafael del Sur, Managua, a concession that allows it to maintain the supply of the main raw material for cement production. The validity began on October 30, 2026, when the General Directorate of Mines of the Attorney General's Office certified the title. The authorization was signed on October 15 by Halminthon Espinoza, General Director of Mines, and was formally accepted by the company on October 29.
The area, called "Cement Plant Limestone Exploration," is delimited by a polygon of 18 vertices and grants exclusivity for exploration, exploitation, and the eventual installation of mineral processing plants within its perimeter.
The company must pay USD 12 per hectare as validity or surface rights fees, in two annual installments during January and July. It will also have to pay a royalty equivalent to 3% of the value of the extracted substances and submit monthly production reports within the first 15 days of the following month.
The extension was granted after Cemex Nicaragua demonstrated compliance with its tax obligations, the submission of reports and work plans, and the obtaining of an environmental permit. The Attorney General's Office stated that the company has the technical and financial capacity to continue its mining activities.
The company will pay 12 dollars per hectare and a 3% royalty on the value of the extracted substances. (Image courtesy)
The title obligates the company to facilitate inspections by the General Directorate of Mines, comply with occupational safety and environmental protection standards, and register the concession with the Public Property Registry. Failure to comply with these provisions may result in the cancellation of the permit.
Before starting work on private properties included within the concessioned zone, Cemex must request authorization from the owners and agree on the conditions of land use and the corresponding compensation. It also may not explore or exploit within 100 meters of towns, fenced properties, religious buildings, wells, communication routes, aqueducts, pipelines, or public works without authorization from the mining authority.
The resolution provides for the access of artisanal miners already working within the area during exploration activities. For new workers in that sector, the authorized surface may not exceed 1% of the concession, subject to agreement with the company.
Cemex arrived in San Rafael del Sur in 2001, when it took over the operation of the former National Cement Producing Company after receiving a 25-year lease from the Nicaraguan state over its facilities. The plant is located about 45 kilometers southwest of Managua and has access to limestone deposits.
The cement plant's activity generated environmental complaints from residents of the municipality. In 2003, La Prensa reported that an analysis by the Central American University laboratory detected silica and calcium silicate in samples collected at various points in San Rafael del Sur, following complaints about dust emissions from the chimneys.
The Nicaraguan state conditioned the validity of the title on strict compliance with environmental and occupational safety standards. (Image courtesy)
The complaints led to protests over respiratory problems and damage to homes and belongings. More than 3,000 people participated in August of that year in a march in front of the facilities to demand measures against the emissions. The company installed electrostatic filters in its kilns.
An inspection by the Ministry of the Environment carried out in April 2004 estimated that the measure would reduce dust emissions by up to 80%, while in 2005 the installation of a second filter valued at more than USD 2 million was reported.
In 2008, Cemex received recognition from the Cleaner Production Center for quarry restoration and reforestation work. The company stated at the time that it had recovered more than 30 manzanas of mining areas by filling in areas disturbed after extraction.
The company inaugurated a ready-mix concrete plant with automated technology in 2005. In December 2024, it reported an annual production of 600,000 tons of cement and 474 jobs; currently, its website indicates that it generates more than 500 jobs.