Durango

Durango is Mexico's third-largest mining hub and the country's leading timber producer. About 41% of the territory is covered in temperate forest—4.9 million hectares ranking second nationally—with timber stock estimated at 410 million cubic meters supplying 20-30% of national output. The Sierra region's economy revolves around forestry, including sawmills, furniture manufacturing, and pulp production. Mining concentrates on silver and gold through underground operations, with Industrias Peñoles maintaining prominent facilities.

The state's dual resource base has attracted $2.6 billion in Canadian FDI since 1999, followed by the US ($1.63B) and Spain ($1.14B). In March 2025, Durango was Mexico's second-largest silver producer (98,566 kg) and second in zinc (9,668 tonnes). Manufacturing is developing, with automotive parts emerging as a key export category ($149M in purchases, $29M in sales in May 2025). The workforce of 843,000 earned an average salary of $7,470 pesos monthly in Q1 2025.

By 2026, Durango will test whether forestry and mining can coexist with manufacturing development. If automotive investment expands and sustainable forestry practices maintain timber stocks, the state could diversify its resource economy. If mining contracts continue and forest management falls short of sustainability standards, Durango may deplete the natural assets that define its identity.