A former worker and two ex-contractors revealed that the management of a Canadian mining company in Mexico, where workers were killed earlier this year, had reportedly established some form of communication with an organized armed group in the region. Mexican authorities stated that a suspected faction of the Sinaloa cartel was responsible for the deaths of five out of the ten Mexican workers kidnapped from Vizsla Silver Corp.’s residential facilities on January 23.
The abduction took place in Concordia, a municipality east of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, from a gated compound where the group was residing. Vizsla Silver Corp had been conducting exploration activities in the Panuco Project area, covering a vast expanse of remote, mountainous terrain near Concordia.
According to the former employee and contractors, the region was heavily controlled by an organized armed group, with armed men using drones and vehicles equipped with heavy weaponry patrolling the area. The situation was described as resembling a war zone, with conflict between different groups.
Despite occasional patrols by Mexican authorities, the territory was predominantly under the control of armed groups, posing significant security risks for workers. The company’s management was accused of downplaying concerns and dismissing reports of escalating violence in the area.
Vizsla Silver Corp responded to the incident by emphasizing its commitment to the safety of its personnel and denying the allegations made by former workers. The company stated that it is cooperating with Mexican authorities’ investigations into the tragic events and asserted that it has not received any threats or demands for ransom following the kidnapping.
Experts highlighted the long-standing presence of organized crime in the Sinaloa region, particularly within the Sinaloa cartel, which has experienced internal conflicts leading to violence and instability. The civil war within the cartel has resulted in a surge of violence and casualties, affecting the area where Vizsla Silver was operating.
In light of these revelations, it is evident that companies operating in Mexico’s challenging security environment may encounter situations where they have to navigate interactions with criminal groups. Vizsla Silver denies any involvement with such groups, but the former workers shared their experiences of facing similar threats in other mining projects, emphasizing the lack of support and understanding from the company in dealing with security concerns.