In a shocking incident reflecting the escalating violence related to illegal mining in Peru, thirteen miners were discovered dead after being kidnapped by a criminal gang while attempting to confront illicit miners.
Peru gold mine tragedy: 13 miners kidnapped and executed
Peru gold mine tragedy: 13 miners kidnapped and executed
Thirteen miners’ lives claimed by violent crime in Peru’s gold mining sector.
Authorities in Pataz province, north of Lima, confirmed the tragic discovery of thirteen miners who had been abducted from a gold mine owned by Poderosa. These individuals had been dispatched to address illegal mining activities in the region but soon found themselves hostage to a criminal organization intent on exerting control over the mine. For an agonizing week, the gang terrorized the miners' families with threatening messages while simultaneously keeping them confined within a mine shaft.
The spike in violence around Peru’s gold mines has raised alarms, as highlighted in a recent statement from Poderosa, which employs around 8,000 people. The mining company expressed its disappointment with law enforcement's inability to mitigate the rising threats posed by illegal miners. "The climate of violence continues to escalate in the region," the statement read.
Disturbingly, reports emerged that a video allegedly recorded by the kidnappers showed the miners executed at close range, although the motive behind the killings remains unclear. Illegal mining has surged in recent years, leading to hostage situations and violent confrontations. In March, for instance, crimes linked to illegal mining resulted in the deaths of two contractors in the same Pataz area, prompting Poderosa to cease operations in several locations due to the escalating risks.
Poderosa emphasized that the police and army are failing to maintain order and called on the government to address the rampant illegal operations and organized crime affecting the mining sector. As one of the globe’s leading gold producers, Peru accounts for over 100 tonnes of gold output annually, representing about 4% of the world's total supply. The crisis in the mining sector not only jeopardizes the safety of those involved but also highlights the broader issues of governance and law enforcement struggles in combating organized crime in Peru.
