Thirteen security guards who were kidnapped from a prominent gold mine in Peru have been discovered dead after more than a week of captivity, highlighting an intensifying conflict in the country’s mining regions.
The guards, working for R&R Security, were hired by the mining company La Poderosa to address illegal mining activities in the mountainous region near Pataz, Peru. Instead, they were ambushed, taken hostage, and eventually killed by groups identified by authorities as criminal gangs vying for control of lucrative mining areas.
The abduction occurred on April 26, as the guards were dealing with suspected illegal miners infringing on company land. During their captivity, the kidnappers sent threatening communications to their families, compounding the distress of the situation.
Following an extensive search, police rescue teams found the bodies on Sunday, May 4. Reports indicate that the guards were confined in a mine shaft before being executed.
La Poderosa, a leading gold producer in Peru, confirmed the deaths and pointed to worsening security in the region. The company stated, “The spiral of uncontrolled violence in Pataz is occurring despite the declaration of a state of emergency and the presence of a large police contingent which, unfortunately, has not been able to halt the deterioration of security conditions in the area.”
The company also noted a troubling trend of violence. Since beginning operations in the Pataz region in 1980, La Poderosa reports that 39 of its workers (including the 13 recently kidnapped) have been killed by groups fighting over gold resources.
This incident comes after a bold attack in December 2023, when illegal miners assaulted the same mine using explosives, resulting in nine deaths and 15 injuries. The company increased security in response, but it proved inadequate against rising violence.
In Trujillo, Peru, relatives of the victims gathered at the morgue to claim their loved ones’ bodies. Abraham Dominguez, whose son Alexander was among the deceased, expressed the families’ demand for justice, telling Canal N television that they wanted accountability and that efforts should not “just stop here.”
Peru’s Interior Ministry has assigned organized crime investigators to look into the killings and find those responsible. The ministry announced that law enforcement agents are “fully empowered to use their firearms if the circumstances warrant it,” indicating a potentially more forceful strategy to tackle the security issue.
President Dina Boluarte declared a 30-day suspension of mining in the Pataz district and plans to set up a military base in the region. A curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. will also be enforced to restore order.
Jorge Montoro, Peru’s Mining and Energy Minister, stated that the 30-day suspension might be prolonged if necessary.
The situation in Pataz underscores Peru’s ongoing struggle with illegal mining, which has developed into a vast and violent industry. As one of the world’s leading gold producers, Peru allows informal miners some protections if they plan to legalize their operations.
Critics argue that this policy has unintentionally aided the growth of criminal operations. Illegal mining has flourished with rising gold prices and new techniques, creating a lawless gold rush that the Peruvian government has struggled to manage.
The violence is attributed to “parqueros”—illegal mining gangs that have become more organized and aggressive. These groups have repeatedly targeted La Poderosa’s infrastructure, including destroying high-voltage towers crucial to mining operations.
La Poderosa has criticized government efforts, noting that police have not dismantled known illegal mine entrances used by criminals. The company also opposes the REINFO program, which grants temporary permits to informal miners awaiting legal status, arguing it protects illegal operations from prosecution.
According to Peru’s Energy and Mines Ministry, illegal gold mining now surpasses narcotics trafficking in profitability. Angela Grossheim, head of the mining industry group SNMPE, has voiced concerns that formal mining faces significant threats. She noted that illegal mining has become the most urgent illicit activity in the nation, overtaking drug trafficking.
The recent killings have sent ripples through Peru’s vital mining sector, which is a cornerstone of the national economy. Rising gold prices have attracted more criminal elements, increasing security costs for legitimate operations.
As Peru continues to address this complex crisis, the victims’ families seek justice, while the mining industry and government strive to find effective solutions to protect workers and ensure safety in the gold-rich regions critical to the country’s prosperity.
