13 Killed in Peru Gold Mine Kidnapping Incident

Thirteen miners in Peru were found dead inside a gold mine after being kidnapped several days earlier. The victims were employees of Poderosa, a Peruvian mining company operating in Pataz province, located north of Lima. They had been dispatched to confront individuals engaged in illegal mining but were abducted by a criminal gang attempting to seize control of the mine. The hostages were confined in a mine shaft, and their families received threatening messages from the kidnappers over the course of a week.

According to reports, a disturbing video allegedly filmed by the captors surfaced on social media, appearing to show the miners being executed at point-blank range. Authorities have not yet clarified what motivated the gang to carry out the killings.

The incident reflects a broader and escalating pattern of criminal violence targeting Peru’s mining sector. In a statement released on Friday, Poderosa, which employs around 8,000 people, expressed disappointment in the lack of effective police action to counter illegal mining. The company warned that the region’s climate of violence is steadily deteriorating.

Poderosa stated that illegal mining has increasingly infiltrated its operations since 2020, forcing the company to shut down some sites and putting both its employees and artisanal miners in grave danger. In March, a separate attack occurred when criminals affiliated with illegal mining groups killed two contractors near La Ciénaga ravine, in the Pataz district. That same month, the company also reported that illegal miners destroyed a high-voltage power tower supplying electricity to the mines and attempted to seize several mine sites.

Despite these repeated threats, Poderosa claimed that police and military forces have failed to assert control over the affected regions. The company called on the Peruvian government to intervene more decisively and restore order. It emphasized that illegal mining and organized crime continue to function with “absolute impunity,” raising concerns about the broader governance and security challenges in the area.

Peru is among the world’s largest gold producers, generating more than 100 tonnes annually, which accounts for approximately 4% of global supply. The ongoing violence and illegal mining activities not only endanger lives but also pose a significant threat to the country’s economy and legal mining industry.

The tragic killing of the thirteen miners has drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger law enforcement and policy measures to combat illegal mining and protect legitimate operations. As the violence escalates, mining companies like Poderosa are urging national authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of workers and the integrity of the mining sector.