Thirteen bodies were found in a mine on Sunday, just days after they were kidnapped in the city of Pataz in northern Peru, according to the mining exploration company Podercosa overseeing the site.
The victims were workers for a company associated with the large gold exploration group Podercosa, which has been targeted in recent months by armed groups involved in illegal gold mining.
A statement from the group noted, “This morning, after intensive search operations, the police rescue team was able to recover the bodies of the 13 workers who were kidnapped… by illegal gold miners in collusion with criminal gangs.”
A state of emergency has been declared in Pataz, approximately 900 kilometers from the capital, Lima, due to escalating violence related to gold mining.
Pataz Mayor Aldo Carlos announced his intention to meet with President Dina Boluarte on Monday to discuss potential solutions to the situation.
Between 2013 and 2023, Peru’s financial intelligence estimated operations linked to illegal gold mining to be worth around $824.1 billion.
Peru is experiencing a rise in violent crimes and extortion, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in several areas.
