Jorge Larrea Ortega

(1912–1999)

1999 Inductee from Mining's Past

Jorge Larrea Ortega was a visionary and entrepreneur without whom the mining industry of Mexico would not be where it is today. He was born at the Hacienda de Pacho, Jalapa, Veracruz, in 1912. He studied at the Military College of Mexico City and began his business career as a painting contractor, and through tenacity, became a director of México Compañia Constructora, one of the largest construction companies in Mexico, where he served for more than 40 years.  During his tenure, he supervised the construction of the Southeast Railroad during World War II, a huge challenge due to the lack of material and equipment during this period.

Don Jorge branched out from construction and participated in the formation of a number of companies, including Perforadora México, an oil well drilling company; Transportaci6n Maritima Mexicana, a shipping company; Grupo Aluminio, an aluminum company; and Asarco Mexicana, which was the predecessor company of Grupo México, the largest mining company in Mexico.

Don Jorge was twice the president of the Mexico Chamber of Mines, where he established a trust fund for the education of mining engineers, and continued to be an active supporter of Mexico's mining schools and the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico. In 1989, he was inducted into the Gallery of Distinguished Men in Contemporary Mexico Mining. Don Jorge passed away on March 13,1999, and was recognized as a “doer and generator of work and wealth.”

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