Rescue workers in northern Peru were searching for miners trapped in a small Peruvian gold mine after the mine was reportedly attacked by suspected illegal miners, a local mayor said.
Segundo Armas, mayor of the Pataz district in the northwestern region of La Libertad, said on Monday that 17 miners may be trapped in the mine.
Armas was not able to confirm the number of miners who managed to escape.
What do we know so far?
Armas said the mine collapsed on Sunday after being attacked by “potential rival miners.”
“The area is difficult to access and we are trying to confirm the number of people trapped,” Armas said. He said cellular service does not reach the mine.
La Libertad is one of the highest gold producing areas in Peru, and according to official reports at least 40% of the supply comes from artisanal or informal miners.
attacks are common
The area is prone to attacks. As the mayor points out in this example, illegal mining and organized crime play a major role in increasing insecurity in the area.
Last November, Attack on a mine in Pataz It resulted in four deaths and one injury, highlighting the violence that pervades the area.
rm/jsi (Reuters, EFE)
