Tragic Incident Highlights Illegal Mining Crisis in Peru.

The recent discovery of 13 murdered workers from the La Poderosa gold mine in Pataz, northern Peru, has brought to light the escalating crisis of illegal mining in the region. These individuals, employed by the subcontractor R&R, were abducted on April 26, 2025, and found dead a week later, their bodies bound and blindfolded in a mineshaft. The perpetrators are believed to be criminal groups associated with illegal mining operations, which have increasingly targeted legal mining activities in the area. This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence; La Poderosa reports that 39 of its workers have been killed since it began operations in 1980, including a deadly attack in December 2023 that resulted in nine deaths and over 20 injuries. 

Despite the Peruvian government's declaration of a state of emergency in Pataz in February 2024 and the deployment of military and police forces, illegal mining activities and associated violence have persisted. La Poderosa has criticized the government's response, highlighting the continued occupation of its concessions by criminal groups and the destruction of infrastructure, such as the repeated attacks on power lines. The company has called for more decisive action, including the closure of illegal mine entrances that serve as hubs for these criminal activities.

The situation in Pataz underscores the challenges Peru faces in balancing its position as a leading global producer of gold and copper with the need to combat illegal mining and protect its citizens. The government's current approach, which allows informal miners to operate under certain conditions, has been criticized for enabling illegal activities to flourish. The recent tragedy has intensified calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes stronger enforcement, community engagement, and support for legal mining operations to restore order and ensure the safety of workers in the region