Thirteen miners have tragically been discovered dead in a gold mine in Peru following a harrowing kidnapping incident attributed to illegal mining conflicts. The victims were working for Poderosa, a major mining company based in Pataz province, located north of Lima. Their ordeal began when they were dispatched to address illegal mining operations in the region but were seized by a criminal gang attempting to assert control over the site.
For several days, the kidnappers held the miners hostage within a mine shaft, reportedly sending threatening messages to their families throughout the ordeal. The surge in violence related to mining activities—particularly illegal ones—has alarmed many in the region.
In a statement released on Friday, Poderosa expressed deep disappointment regarding the lack of effective police intervention against illegal mining and the increasing climate of violence surrounding its operations. According to reports from Peruvian news outlet Diario Correo, a disturbing video surfaced on social media, allegedly made by the kidnappers, depicting the miners executed at close range, although the reasons for their brutal killings remain unclear.
Since 2020, the problem of illegal mining has escalated, with Poderosa claiming that it has been forced to abandon operations due to safety threats posed by these activities. Earlier in March, violent encounters between gang members and mine contractors resulted in two fatalities, while illegal miners had, on separate occasions, resorted to sabotage, such as blowing up power supply towers and attempting to invade mine sites.
Poderosa urged governmental action to restore order and highlighted a concerning trend where organized crime and illegal mining gangs operate with "absolute impunity." Peru, recognized as one of the leading gold producers globally, extracts over 100 tonnes annually, contributing to around 4% of the world’s total gold supply.
