Overview
- The company reported that unknown assailants threw a backpack with explosives over the perimeter wall of the Santa María administrative complex, causing a detonation inside office areas and significant damage to administrative infrastructure.
- The blast injured two contract workers with serious hearing trauma who received first aid on site and were evacuated to Trujillo for specialized medical care.
- Minera Poderosa activated contingency and security protocols, filed a formal complaint with prosecutors and says it is cooperating with the Policía Nacional in the ongoing investigation.
- Business groups including ComexPerú and the SNMPE condemned the attack and warned it reflects a widening loss of territorial control, urging the government and the incoming administration to accelerate measures against organized illegal mining.
- The incident, reported Wednesday, renews concern about years of concession invasions, armed confrontations and infrastructure attacks in Pataz and raises the risk that criminal groups will target formal operations and local communities if state control is not restored.