The last attack on the La Poderosa mining company was recorded in April 2024. Photo: Sergio Verde/La República.
During the early hours of this Wednesday, May 8, an explosive detonation was recorded in a high-voltage tower at the La Poderosa mining company in the province of Sánchez Carrión, region of La Libertad. The incident was alerted by ronderos from the Chugay district in the Santa Rosa hamlet, who noticed sounds in the structures that supply energy to the mining camps.
The attacks on La Poderosa mine continue: the penultimate explosion was recorded in April of this year by alleged illegal miners. As a result, the province of Pataz It has been declared an emergency, since in December 2023, nine company workers were murdered.
Minera La Poderosa speaks out
The La Poderosa mine expressed its concern after the recent attack that occurred on May 8, 2024, which affected tower 55 of the LT 6050 transmission line, located in the town of Santa Rosa de Zancobamba. The attack left the operations of the Marañón and Santa María mining units without power, by disconnecting the National Electric System of the mine. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks that the company has suffered in recent months, attributed to criminal groups related to illegal mining.
The company stated that, despite the state of emergency declared in the province of Pataz and the presence of more than 300 members of the National Police and the Army, the attacks continue. Violence against mining infrastructure has claimed the lives of 17 people, with the destruction of 15 high-voltage towers, an electrical substation, a transmission line and a force pipe of a hydroelectric plant.
The company criticized the lack of effective interventions against illegal minery, despite the considerable presence of security forces in the region. He noted that these operations continue with impunity, in part due to the recent repeal of a law aimed at curbing illegal activities and their impact on the country’s security.
La Poderosa called on Congress to reflect on the legislation, urging that it not favor criminal economies, and asked the central government to maintain its commitment to the fight against illegal mining. The company stressed the importance of joining forces and taking concrete measures to put an end to this growing threat.
Why do attacks occur at the La Poderosa mine?
The attacks at the La Poderosa mine They are mainly related to the presence of criminal groups dedicated to illegal mining in the region. These organizations seek to control territories rich in mineral resources, which generates conflicts with formal mining operations. The goal of these groups is to eliminate competition and maintain their control over unregulated mines, allowing them to operate without restrictions and make significant profits.
Furthermore, the absence of cooperation between different government agencies, such as the Prosecutor’s Office and the Energy, Mines and Hydrocarbons Management of the Liberteña region, has made the supervision and control of illegal mining difficult. This has allowed criminal groups to exploit the lack of regulation to continue their activities, resulting in a series of attacks that have impacted both the infrastructure and security of the La Poderosa mine and its workers.
