Thirteen gold miners have been discovered dead in an underground shaft in Peru’s Pataz province, igniting a national security crisis as authorities investigate what appears to be a targeted attack against employees of La Poderosa, the country’s largest gold-mining company.
Key Takeaways
- Thirteen miners working for La Poderosa, Peru’s largest gold producer, were found dead after being kidnapped by a criminal gang in Pataz province.
- The miners were reportedly sent to confront illegal miners but were ambushed, kidnapped, and later executed.
- Violence in the region continues despite a declared state of emergency and significant police presence, with the mining company reporting 39 worker deaths since 1980.
- Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings, found with guns and ammunition.
- The incident highlights Peru’s growing crisis with illegal mining operations and organized crime in resource-rich regions.
Kidnapping and Discovery of Bodies
The attack occurred when armed criminals ambushed a mining operation run by La Poderosa, kidnapping thirteen security personnel. Their bodies were later discovered in an underground mining shaft. According to reports, the miners were working for a mining operation contracted by La Poderosa and had been sent to confront illegal miners operating in the area. A video circulating on social media allegedly shows the miners being executed, though authorities have not verified its authenticity.
Law enforcement has moved quickly to apprehend suspects, with two individuals already arrested in connection with the killings. The suspects were reportedly found with firearms and ammunition. Peru’s Interior Ministry has deployed special police forces to the region with orders to “locate and capture those responsible for these heinous crimes.”
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
Growing Violence in Peru’s Mining Regions
This massacre represents the latest and most severe incident in a pattern of escalating violence against legitimate mining operations in Peru. La Poderosa reported that the criminal gang held the miners hostage and sent threats to their families before their execution. The company has been vocal about the deteriorating security situation in Pataz province, which has seen numerous attacks on mining operations in recent years.
Family members of the victims gathered in Trujillo to await the transfer of bodies to the morgue. Abraham Dominguez, a relative of one victim, expressed the community’s outrage, stating “We want justice, that this doesn’t just stop here.”
Battle Between Legal and Illegal Mining Operations
The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between legal mining operations and illegal miners backed by criminal organizations. La Poderosa, which is based in Lima, has been forced to abandon some operations since 2020 due to security concerns. In December 2023, illegal miners attacked the same mine with explosives, resulting in nine deaths and 15 injuries. In March of this year, criminals again attacked contractors and destroyed infrastructure at the mine.
Mining is a crucial economic sector for Peru, which contributes over 4% of the world’s annual gold supply and is a major producer of copper in Latin America. However, a wave of criminal activity has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency, with increased reports of extortion particularly affecting northern mining areas. Despite these measures, the violence continues to escalate, raising questions about the government’s ability to secure these economically vital regions.
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
