Peru: 13 kidnapped people found dead in a mine, the privileged illegal gold trafficking track

Thirteen people were found dead, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in a mine a few days after being removed in the city of Pataz, on the highlands of northern Peru, said the Poderosa mining company, owner of the facilities where events occurred.

The victims are employees of a company service provider of Poderosa, an important gold extraction company listed on the Lima Stock Exchange, which has been targeted in recent months by armed groups linked to illegal gold extraction.

Climbing violence caused by the gold rush

“This morning, after intense research work, the police rescue team was able to recover the bodies of the 13 workers who had been kidnapped […] By illegal minors in collusion with criminal elements, “the company said in a statement.

The state of emergency was established in Pataz, located 900 kilometers from the capital Lima, due to the escalation of violence caused by the gold rush. According to Poderosa, “there are already 39 artisanal employees and minors killed by the criminal bands who took control of the city.

“The spiral of uncontrolled violence in Pataz occurs despite the state of emergency and the presence of a large police contingent which, unfortunately, has not been able to stop the deterioration of security conditions in the region,” said the mining company, in an “urgent call” to rethink the government’s strategy.

The mayor of Pataz, Aldo Carlos, announced that he would meet the president Dina Boluarte this Monday to seek solutions to insecurity. “What’s going on in my city hurts. […] If they put me in prison or kill me, the sole manager will be the central government, “he said, moved.