Thirteen miners have been tragically discovered dead in a gold mine in Peru, following their kidnapping days earlier. These miners were working for Poderosa, a major mining company based in the Pataz province, north of Lima. They were reportedly sent to address an illegal mining faction encroaching on their operations when they were abducted by a criminal gang aiming to seize control of the mine. The kidnappers held the miners within a mine shaft, sending menacing messages to their families throughout their captivity.
This shocking incident comes amidst a disturbing trend of increased violence against mining operations in Peru. Poderosa, which employs around 8,000 individuals, expressed frustration over inadequate law enforcement measures against illegal mining activities. The company stated, "The climate of violence continues to escalate in the region," as reports emerged revealing that a video allegedly filmed by the perpetrators depicted the miners being executed at close range. The motivations for the gang's grisly actions remain unclear.
Since 2020, illegal mining has been rampant in areas controlled by Poderosa, leading the company to cease operations in certain sites while jeopardizing the safety of its employees and artisanal miners. In an alarming event in March, criminals assaulted contractors near the La Ciénaga ravine, resulting in two fatalities. Additionally, illegal miners were accused of blowing up a high-voltage power tower that supplied energy to various mining sites and making attempts to invade multiple operations owned by Poderosa. The company has criticized the police and military for their failure to establish control, urging the government to restore order. They warned that illegal mining and organized criminal activities continue to thrive unchecked.
Peru stands as a leading gold producer, generating over 100 tonnes annually, contributing roughly 4% to the global supply.
