The company Powerful Minera He informed that the 13 workers reported as kidnapped since April 25 in the province of Pataz, region Freedomthey provided services to an artisanal miner with a contract to exploit gold material. The incident occurred after an attack by alleged criminals, who would have taken control of the operation linked to said contractor.
The company issued a statement expressing its concern about the increase in Violence in the area. The exact location of the fact or the undercut where the workers would be retained were not specified so far.
Powerful pointed out that the situation is part of a structural problem that affects several of its concessions. Since 2020, he said that various fronts of illegal mining They have occupied the company’s land, which has caused the suspension of activities and has put the physical integrity of both their collaborators and artisanal miners in the process of formalization.
The company also regretted that recent police operations did not include interdictions in illegal mouths located in confrontation areas. According to the firm, this omission has allowed criminal organizations to maintain control of certain areas.
According to statements by General PNP Carlos Llerena, head of the III Macro La Libertad Police Regiona specialized team of 40 agents in the area of influence for search and rescue work has been deployed. However, to date, the exact whereabouts of workers or the point where they could be retained could not be determined.
The families of the disappeared have reiterated their request to the authorities so that they do not stop the search. They say they will keep the hope of finding them alive, while requesting emotional accompaniment and security to continue in the area.
The province of Pataz It remains for more than a year in a state of emergency, an adopted measure due to the expansion of illegal mining and the increase in clashes between criminal gangs.
In that region, the overlap of formal, informal and illegal concessions has generated an environment conducive to the unpleasant armed conflict, where they operate from hitmen to extortion with access to explosives and armament.
The mining company indicated that it will continue to provide logistical support and facilities to the authorities responsible for investigations, with the aim of clarifying the facts and guaranteeing minimal safety conditions in their operating areas.
The case has evidenced the gaps that persist around the Mining formalization In the country. The contractor for those who worked the 13 missing appears as an artisanal mining with exploitation permit, which has generated questions about the limits between the allowed informal mining and the criminal fronts that infiltrate it.
This diffuse line is not only difficult for investigations, but also generates risk situations for workers who work without direct state protection or security guarantees against armed threats.
The PNP continues the operations in the area, While the Public Ministry and Intelligence Units advance in the collection of information on the networks that would operate around the concessions taken.
The company reiterated its willingness to collaborate in everything necessary. Meanwhile, families are still waiting for concrete results, with the hope that the next few days will allow to recover at least part of the control over an area that at times seems more a territory in dispute than an administrative unit of the State.
Related news :