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Peru stops mining in the north after 13 miners are killed

Dina Boluarte, the president of Peru, announced on Monday that mining in Pataz, a district in northern Peru, would be suspended for 30 day after illegal miners kidnapped 13 gold workers and killed them.

The Peruvian government plans to establish a military base in the area and impose a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am.

Boluarte stated that "the armed forces will be taking control of the area in which Poderosa operates."

Poderosa miner said on Sunday that police had recovered the bodies of thirteen workers who were abducted last month by a local mining firm.

Peru is the third largest copper producer in the world, but its deposits are mostly located in the south. In the north, gold and silver is mined.

Poderosa claimed that criminal gangs have killed nearly 40 people in Pataz, including contractors and artisanal miners.

Illegal miners have taken control of several areas controlled by Poderosa since 2020.

Due to the attacks against Poderosa, there was already a heavy police and army presence in the area.

Morge Montoro said that the 30-day pause may be extended. (Reporting and writing by Marco Aquino, Kylie Madry, Editing by Gabriel Araujo & Alexander Villegas).

(source: Reuters)