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Joint Force Frees 33 Workers After Armed Takeover at La Joya Mine

The escape through mine tunnels exposes the ongoing security challenge in Pataz.

Overview

  • The joint command, which worked for more than 10 hours early Friday, rescued all 33 workers and reported one gunshot wound in stable condition.
  • The takeover began Thursday around 5 p.m. when heavily armed men entered the La Joya 24–27 shaft, fired on crews, and held them underground.
  • CUPAZ, a joint Armed Forces–Police command created to fight illegal mining, led a staged rescue that freed 20 workers first and then the remaining group.
  • The mining company Inversiones Mineras Gheraldin filed the alert Thursday evening that triggered the deployment to the Pueblo Nuevo site in Pataz.
  • Authorities say the attackers escaped through mine tunnels and plan continued patrols and territorial control operations in the province.