Mining Foundation of the Southwest

American Mining Hall of Fame

2000 Medal of Merit Recipient

Ingeniero Pedro Sanchez Mejorada

Pedro Sanchez Mejorada was born in Mexico City in 1915 but grew up in the mining center of Pachuca in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. He was educated at the National University of Mexico, graduating in 1937 with a degree in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. Upon graduation Mr. Sanchez Mejorada went to work in the Engineering and Geology Department of the Real del Monte & Pachuca Company, a subsidiary of U.S. Smelting, Mining, and Refining Company.

In 1948 he joined Industrias Peñoles, S.A. de C.V. and its predecessor companies as a geologist. This was the start of a long and successful career with Peñoles that saw him rise successively to positions as Chief Geologist, Director of Exploration, Vice-President New Projects and Development, and, for the last 10 years of his career, President of Industrias Peñoles. During his years with Peñoles, Mr. Sanchez Mejorada played an important role in the exploration and development of numerous company mining properties, including the Reforma zinc-silver mine in Chihuahua, the La Negra silver-lead-zinc-copper mine in Queretaro, the La Minita zinc-silver-barite mine in Michoacan, and the vast Laguna del Rey chemical complex in northern Coahuila, which annually produces 450 tonnes of sodium sulphate and more than 100,000 tonnes of high grade magnesite.

Pedro Sanchez Mejorada was also deeply involved in the discovery and development of the “New Fresnillo” vein system. Discovery of this totally new and “blind” system converted the Fresnillo Mine from a net money loser into the world’s largest and most profitable silver mine. In addition to being deeply involved in exploration and development of mining properties, Mr. Sanchez Mejorada sought to develop the company’s human resources as well. Peñoles has, for many years, followed the practice of sending selected employees abroad to obtain university degrees in their fields of work.

Mr. Sanchez Mejorada retired from Peñoles in 1988 and assumed a post as a Director of Cia. Minera Mexicana de Avino, S.A. de C.V. and , in 1992 became Chairman of Avino. He is still active as a mining consultant and is a member of the American institute of Mining & Metallurgical Engineers, the Society of Economic Geologists, and the Mexican Academy of Engineering.

Mining Foundation of the Southwest
P.O. Box 42317
Tucson, Arizona 85733
Tel: 520-577-7519
Fax: 520-577-7073
E-mail: admin@miningfoundationsw.org