*Thirteen miners were kidnapped and later killed in a gold mine in Peru, raising alarms about the violence linked to illegal mining in the region.*
**Tragedy Strikes As 13 Miners Found Dead After Kidnapping in Peru**
**Tragedy Strikes As 13 Miners Found Dead After Kidnapping in Peru**
*Poderosa mining company faces growing concerns over violence and illegal mining activities.*
In a tragic incident that underscores the escalating violence surrounding mining operations in Peru, thirteen miners have been discovered dead after being kidnapped from a gold mine owned by the Peruvian company Poderosa, situated in Pataz province, north of Lima. The victims, who had been sent to confront a group engaged in illegal mining activities, were taken hostage by a criminal gang aiming to seize control of the mine.
The miners endured a harrowing week in captivity, during which the gang sent menacing messages to their families. Reports indicate that a video surfaced on social media, purportedly recorded by the kidnappers, showing the miners being executed at close range, although the reasons for their deaths remain unknown.
Poderosa, which employs around 8,000 people, expressed profound disappointment in a statement regarding the police's inadequate response to the surging illegal mining violence in the area. The company highlighted a worrying trend, noting a rise in criminal attacks on mining sites in recent years. In a related incident earlier this year, individuals working with illegal miners assaulted contractors at the same mine, resulting in two fatalities.
Moreover, Poderosa reported that illegal miners have repeatedly sabotaged operations, including the destruction of a high-voltage power tower and attempts to invade mining sites. The company has urged the government to restore law and order, citing that organized crime and illegal mining activities are operating with severe impunity.
As one of the largest gold producers globally, Peru contributes over 100 tonnes annually, reflecting around 4% of the world’s gold supply. The troubling events at Poderosa's mines highlight the urgent need for intervention to ensure the safety of miners and restore control over the region's resources.
The miners endured a harrowing week in captivity, during which the gang sent menacing messages to their families. Reports indicate that a video surfaced on social media, purportedly recorded by the kidnappers, showing the miners being executed at close range, although the reasons for their deaths remain unknown.
Poderosa, which employs around 8,000 people, expressed profound disappointment in a statement regarding the police's inadequate response to the surging illegal mining violence in the area. The company highlighted a worrying trend, noting a rise in criminal attacks on mining sites in recent years. In a related incident earlier this year, individuals working with illegal miners assaulted contractors at the same mine, resulting in two fatalities.
Moreover, Poderosa reported that illegal miners have repeatedly sabotaged operations, including the destruction of a high-voltage power tower and attempts to invade mining sites. The company has urged the government to restore law and order, citing that organized crime and illegal mining activities are operating with severe impunity.
As one of the largest gold producers globally, Peru contributes over 100 tonnes annually, reflecting around 4% of the world’s gold supply. The troubling events at Poderosa's mines highlight the urgent need for intervention to ensure the safety of miners and restore control over the region's resources.
