Lima, May 2 (EFE) .- At least 13 workers of the powerful gold mine, located in northern Peru, have been kidnapped by illegal miners and criminal gangs, the company reported on Friday, who denounced the increase in violence in this area, despite being declared in emergency for more than a year.
“This week, in an act that highlights the terrible deterioration of the safety conditions in Pataz, illegal miners colluded with criminals, kidnapped 13 workers who provided services to a artisanal miner with whom Powerful maintains an exploitation contract,” said the company through a statement.
The company expressed a deep concern and solidarity with the families of the victims and regretted that the climate of violence continues to climb in the region, affecting those who develop their work activities in the area.
He explained that this “unfortunate event” occurred after criminals attack the operation of the artisanal miner to take control of it.
The gold mine is located in the province of Pataz, within the Department of La Libertad, and was declared in emergency by the Government due to the increase in organized crime linked to illegal mining, which has caused several attacks against miners and their infrastructure.
In this sense, Powerful indicated that this event has happened despite the declaration of the state of emergency and the presence of an important contingent of police and army.
“Powerfully draws the attention that last week the National Police of Peru has mobilized more than 800 troops for an operation that unfortunately did not contemplate major interdictions of illegal mouths located in the area where the clashes occurred,” he added.
He said that since 2020, illegal mining has taken several of their concessions, which has forced them to abandon work and putting the lives of their workers at risk.
He concluded by calling the competent authorities to intervene urgently in the area in order to meet the complaint filed by the relatives of the missing miners. EFE
