Thirteen security guards from Peru’s largest gold mine were found dead after being kidnapped, exposing a violent struggle between legal mining operations and criminal gangs in a region plagued by illegal mining activity.
Quick Takes
- Thirteen workers from La Poderosa, Peru’s largest gold-mining company, were found dead after being kidnapped in Pataz Province.
- The miners were reportedly sent to confront illegal miners but were ambushed and abducted by a criminal gang.
- Despite a state of emergency and police presence, violence continues to escalate in the region known for illegal mining operations.
- Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings, found with guns and ammunition.
- The incident is part of a larger pattern of violence, with La Poderosa reporting 39 workers killed since 1980 due to criminal groups fighting for control.
Escalating Violence in Peru’s Gold Mining Region
The bodies of thirteen security guards were discovered in an underground shaft in Peru’s Pataz Province, a region increasingly marred by violent conflicts over gold mining operations. The victims worked for La Poderosa, Peru’s largest gold-mining company, which has faced ongoing threats from illegal miners and criminal organizations. According to authorities, the men were kidnapped after being sent to confront illegal miners who had encroached on the company’s territory. The kidnapping quickly escalated to the worst possible outcome despite efforts to secure their release.
La Poderosa has placed blame squarely on armed criminals who they claim attacked the mining operation and abducted the workers. Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murders, reportedly found with weapons and ammunition that may have been used in the crime. The situation highlights the dangerous conditions facing legitimate mining operations in Peru, where criminal gangs operate with what the company describes as “absolute impunity” despite government attempts to restore order.
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
Criminal Networks Target Gold Operations
This massacre represents a dramatic escalation in a long-running conflict between legal mining operations and criminal networks seeking to control Peru’s valuable mineral resources. La Poderosa reported that since 1980, 39 of their workers have been killed due to violence related to criminal groups fighting for control of mining operations in Pataz. The region has become increasingly dangerous despite government intervention, forcing the company to abandon some operations since 2020 due to security concerns.
This incident comes after a December 2023 attack where illegal miners used explosives at the same mine, resulting in nine deaths and fifteen injuries. The pattern of violence indicates a systematic attempt by criminal elements to seize control of valuable mining territories through intimidation and brutal force. Peru’s position as a major gold producer, contributing over 4% of the world’s annual supply, makes these mining operations valuable targets for criminal enterprises.
Government Response and Calls for Justice
Peru’s Interior Ministry has deployed special police forces to apprehend those responsible for these killings, as family members of the victims gather in Trujillo awaiting the transfer of the bodies. Relatives have expressed their grief and demanded justice for their loved ones. Abraham Dominguez, a family member of one victim, voiced the sentiment shared by many: “We want justice, that this doesn’t just stop here.”
The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in response to the increasing wave of crime in northern mining areas, but critics argue that these measures have proven insufficient. Mining represents a significant economic sector for Peru, a major producer of gold and copper in Latin America, making the security of these operations not just a matter of public safety but also of national economic importance. As investigations continue, questions remain about how authorities will address the deep-rooted criminal networks that have managed to operate despite increased police presence.
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
