Fatal Attack on Informal Mine in Peru Shocks Community

Tragedy Strikes Northern Peru

Municipal authorities in Peru have announced that at least three individuals were killed, and seven are missing following an attack on an informal mine in the northern part of the country. The mayor of Pataz, Aldo Marino, stated in a video broadcast by news channel Canal N that the attack occurred around an hour before midnight on New Year's Eve.

"According to information received from the police, three people were killed at the entrance of the mine, and seven are missing," Marino said, noting that the final victim count could rise to 15 as more bodies are recovered.

Further details about the incident continue to emerge; however, informal mines are a frequent source of conflict in South America, as criminal groups vie for control. The incident took place near the town of Vijus, in the La Libertad department of northwestern Peru. Police reported that 13 miners were killed in the same area last May, an incident that prompted a strong reaction from local authorities, including a 30-day suspension of mining activities and the imposition of a nighttime curfew.

The region is known for its gold deposits, including one of the largest mines in the world, Lagunas Norte. However, informal mining has also emerged as residents in rural areas and criminal gangs attempt to strike it rich from the mountains of Pataz, the site of the recent violence. Following the Wednesday incident, police arrested two individuals, and an investigation is underway. News agency Reuters cited local prosecutors stating that 11 shell casings were recovered from the scene of the attack.

A mining company, Poderosa, also reported that its security personnel heard gunfire and, upon approaching the crime scene, discovered that three individuals had died. Many informal miners operate under temporary permits issued by the government, known as REINFO permits. Reuters reported that the government suspended the permits of approximately 50,000 small-scale miners in July as part of a formalization process, allowing about 30,000 to continue their activities. Peru exported gold worth $15.5 billion in 2024, compared to $11 billion the previous year. The country's financial authority estimates that around 40% of the nation’s gold comes from illicit enterprises.