Thirteen workers at Peru’s largest gold mining company have been found dead in an underground shaft after being kidnapped, highlighting the escalating violence in the country’s mining regions amid rising criminal activity and illegal gold extraction.
Key Takeaways
- Thirteen security workers linked to Peru’s largest gold mining company, La Poderosa, were found dead after being kidnapped in Pataz Province.
- The workers were reportedly sent to confront illegal miners but were ambushed and taken hostage by a criminal gang.
- Despite a declared state of emergency and increased police presence, violence continues to escalate in Peru’s gold mining regions.
- Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings, found with weapons and ammunition.
- The mining company has reported that 39 workers have been killed since 1980 due to criminal groups fighting for control of mines in Pataz.
The Deadly Incident in Pataz
The thirteen victims, security personnel connected to Peru’s largest gold mining company La Poderosa, were discovered dead in an underground shaft in the Pataz Province. According to reports, the workers were initially sent to address illegal mining activities but were subsequently kidnapped by armed criminals. The abduction occurred when illegal miners linked to criminal gangs ambushed the mining operation. A video circulating on social media allegedly shows the miners being executed, though authorities have not yet verified its authenticity.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings, found in possession of guns and ammunition. The exact motive behind the killings remains unclear, though it appears to be part of a larger pattern of violence related to illegal mining in the region. Family members of the victims have gathered in Trujillo awaiting the transfer of bodies to the morgue, with many demanding justice for their loved ones.
Thirteen miners have been found dead inside a #mine in Peru after being kidnapped several days earlier.https://t.co/uNTEUIqzx7 pic.twitter.com/Kjkl3MILO3
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) May 5, 2025
Escalating Violence in Peru’s Mining Regions
The deadly incident is not isolated but part of a concerning trend of violence in Peru’s resource-rich regions. La Poderosa has reported that 39 workers have been killed since 1980 due to criminal groups fighting for control of the mine in Pataz. The company has been forced to abandon some operations since 2020 due to threats from illegal miners and criminal organizations that operate with what the company describes as “absolute impunity.”
Just months before this incident, in December 2023, illegal miners attacked the same mine with explosives, resulting in nine deaths and 15 injuries. In March, criminals attacked contractors and destroyed infrastructure at the mine, prompting La Poderosa to call for government intervention to restore order in the region. The company has criticized authorities for inadequate action against illegal mining activities that continue to threaten legitimate operations.
Peru’s Gold Mining Industry Under Threat
Peru is a major gold producer, contributing over 4% of the world’s annual supply, making mining a significant economic sector for the country. However, the industry faces growing challenges from criminal organizations and illegal miners who seek to exploit resources without regulatory oversight. La Poderosa, based in Lima, has been particularly targeted in Pataz Province, where conflicts over gold mining have intensified in recent years.
In response to the recent killings, Peru’s Interior Ministry has deployed special police forces to “locate and capture those responsible for these heinous crimes.” However, despite government efforts, a wave of crime has led to a state of emergency in many parts of Peru, with increased reports of extortion in the northern mining areas. The climate of violence continues to escalate, putting the physical safety of mining employees and artisanal miners at risk and threatening the stability of one of Peru’s most important industries.
Sources:
13 Workers Found Killed at Gold Mine in Peru
Peru kidnapping leaves 13 dead in gold mine
13 security guards kidnapped from a Peruvian gold mine found dead
