Overview
- The attack occurred Wednesday, June 24, when unknown assailants threw a backpack containing explosives over the perimeter wall of Compañía Minera Poderosa’s Santa María administrative site in Pataz.
- The blast damaged mine infrastructure and left two contract workers with trauma and severe hearing injuries who were flown to Trujillo for specialized treatment.
- Compañía Minera Poderosa has labeled the incident a terrorist act linked to illegal mining and says it is sharing information with the Policía Nacional to aid the investigation.
- The Asociación de Exportadores (ADEX) publicly condemned the attack, demanded an exhaustive probe to identify and capture those responsible, and urged immediate reinforcement of the State’s security presence.
- Security experts and industry groups warn that the use of explosives marks an escalation by criminal networks that threatens worker safety, mining operations in remote regions, and future investment unless authorities act quickly.