Mining operations restart in violence-hit Pataz region

On June 4, 2025, Peru lifted the suspension on mining in the Pataz region, where operations had been halted since May following the murder of 13 security contractors at La Poderosa mine. The killings, attributed to illegal miners, triggered a 30-day ban and a state of emergency. Mining is now allowed under tight conditions, limited to licensed firms and REINFO-registered artisanal miners, and only during daylight hours (5 a.m. to 10 p.m.). A renewed 60-day emergency remains in effect, with military deployment for public order. Authorities coordinated with local leaders and formal miners to ensure a cautious, security-driven reopening that balances safety with economic recovery.