Reports say armed men took workers from staff accommodations
Vancouver-based mining firm Vizsla Silver says 10 people have been abducted from one of its project sites in western Mexico.
Vizsla Royalties — a subsidiary of Vizsla Silver — said in a statement that “10 individuals have been taken” from the site in Concordia, a city in the state of Sinaloa.
“The incident is currently under investigation, and information remains limited,” said the release.
“Local authorities have been notified, and the company’s crisis management and security response teams are actively engaged.”
Vizsla Royalties said some activities at and around the site have been temporarily suspended “as a precautionary measure.”
Reports of armed men at staff accommodations
The Sinaloa attorney general’s office said a 911 call from a legal representative of the company reported the abduction on Jan. 24, “and actions were immediately activated.”
The agency says it is working with the state and federal authorities to search for the abductees, and that a search warrant was executed on Jan. 27 as part of the investigation.
Local news outlets reported that the employees were taken by armed men from staff accommodations in Concordia on Jan. 23, according to CTV News, adding that Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the situation.
For months, Sinaloa has been caught up in an armed conflict between rival factions of the namesake drug cartel, which has led to a surge in homicides, according to Northern Miner.
‘Deep concern’ about abduction
The Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico called for swift intervention by authorities to ensure the workers’ safe return.
It expressed “deep concern regarding the unlawful abduction detention, by unknown individuals, of 10 professionals who have a proven track record of honest work,” the group said in a statement translated from Spanish.
“We have respectfully approached the authorities of the State Government of Sinaloa to request their prompt intervention so that the appropriate agencies can take the necessary steps to ensure their safe return.”
