The Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex) warns of ongoing security risks in the sector.
The Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex) raised its voice regarding the kidnapping of 10 engineers and technical personnel involved in mining activities in Concordia, which occurred on January 23, and warned that insecurity in the country’s mining regions has become a constant risk for those working in the sector.
In a statement, the organizations that make up the mining sector expressed their deep concern and solidarity with the affected families, colleagues, and communities.
Camimex reiterated that all people who work in mining deserve safe and dignified working conditions, noting that this incident is not an isolated case, but rather part of a context of violence that constantly impacts various mining regions in the country.
The Mexican Mining Chamber maintained that formal mining contributes to the economic well-being and social development of more than 696 communities in Mexico, and rejected any allegations of links to organized crime. On the contrary, it stated that the sector has been a victim of these groups, as have workers, community members, journalists, and contractors.
It also asserted that it maintains a permanent collaborative relationship with authorities at various levels of government and has promptly reported any criminal activity affecting its operations.
According to information from the Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office, as part of the efforts to locate the missing workers, a search warrant has been executed in Mazatlán and four more in the municipality of Concordia. These actions have been expanded as new evidence is uncovered.
Although the initial report mentions 10 people deprived of their liberty, only five formal complaints have been filed so far. These complaints were initially filed in other states, such as Zacatecas, Sonora, and Guerrero, and subsequently transferred to the Sinaloa authorities.
The Attorney General’s Office also reported that a search operation was launched on February 1st in the mountainous region of Concordia, involving 1,190 federal forces. The operation has since expanded to the municipality of Rosario and later to Escuinapa, with search efforts conducted both on the ground and in the air.
The names of those kidnapped are:
- Saúl Alberto Ochoa Pérez, 39 years old, from Chihuahua.
- Pablo Osorio Sánchez, 23 years old, from Oaxaca.
- José Castañeda Hernández, geologist, 43 years old, from Zacatecas.
- Ignacio Salazar Flores, 40 years old, from Zacatecas.
- José Antonio Jiménez Nevárez, 34 years old, security officer, from Sonora.
- Antonio Esparza Yáñez, Community Relations Manager, 67 years old.
- Javier Vargas Valle, 40 years old, security guard.
- Javier Valdez Valenzuela, 40 years old, security guard.
- Antonio de la O Valdez, 30 years old, Environmental Supervisor.
- Miguel Tapia Rayón, 40 years old.
Source: OEM
 warns of ongoing security risks in the sector){kind=link}