# Illegal mining violence in Pataz, Peru

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-mining-violence-in-pataz-peru
> Updated: 2026-11-03T02:08:24.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Violence linked to illegal mining continues in the Pataz province of La Libertad. In October, an armed attack within a mine shaft at a Compañía Minera Poderosa concession resulted in two deaths and two serious injuries. Authorities reported that individuals were attempting to remove the bodies when police and military personnel arrived. The company characterized these incidents as organized crime aimed at seizing mineral resources.

By November, the violence escalated to include law enforcement. A police officer was killed during preventive patrols in the Pueblo Nuevo district. Reports indicate that armed individuals, allegedly linked to the criminal organization “Los Malditos de JP,” opened fire from a hillside in an attempt to seize control of the “Camilo” mine. The region remains under a state of emergency to combat extortion and armed conflicts between factions fighting for control of illegal gold mining sites.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-03: Pataz: Police officer killed in armed attack linked to illegal mining

A Peruvian police officer was killed in an armed attack in Pataz, La Libertad, allegedly by criminals linked to illegal mining operations near the Camilo mine.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pataz-police-officer-killed-in-armed-attack-linked-to-illegal-mining

### 2026-10-07: Pataz: Two dead in armed attack at mine concession

An armed attack at a mine in Pataz, Peru, left two people dead and two injured. The incident occurred in a concession area of Compañía Minera Poderosa amid rising violence from illegal mining.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pataz-two-dead-in-armed-confrontation-at-mine

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Cite as: Illegal mining violence in Pataz, Peru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-mining-violence-in-pataz-peru