Five of the 10 miners who vanished while working for a Canadian-operated project in Mexico have been identified after authorities uncovered bodies in clandestine graves, officials confirmed this week.
On Monday, Feb. 9, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office announced that multiple bodies had been located on a property in El Verde, a town within the municipality of Concordia in the state of Sinaloa. According to the statement, five of the deceased have been formally identified, while efforts continue to determine the identities of the remaining bodies.
The development follows the disappearance of 10 mining workers earlier this year. Authorities have said the kidnapping occurred on Jan. 23.
Reports from the Associated Press indicated that the remains were recovered from clandestine graves last week. Officials cited by the outlet said five of the bodies belonged to workers employed at a gold and silver mining project operated by Vizsla Silver Corp..
In a statement released Monday, the Vancouver–based company acknowledged the tragic update, saying it had been informed by several families that their relatives, who were taken from the company’s Concordia project site, had been found deceased. The company did not specify how many victims had been confirmed.
“The Company is awaiting confirmation from the Mexican authorities and will provide further updates as appropriate,” the statement said.
Michael Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla, described the situation as devastating.
“We are devastated by this outcome and the tragic loss of life,” Konnert said. “Our deepest condolences are with our colleagues’ families, friends, co-workers, and the entire community of Concordia.”
He added that the company’s priority remains the safe recovery of those still missing and supporting affected families during what he called an “incredibly difficult time.”
Vizsla had previously announced precautionary measures following the abductions, temporarily suspending certain operations near the site.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive. However, the Associated Press reported that four individuals suspected of involvement in the disappearances have been arrested.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, one of the identified victims was José Manuel Castañeda Hernández, 43, a husband and father of two who was originally from Guerrero. His brother, Jaime Castañeda, confirmed the identification after reviewing photographs provided by officials.
“This has been very painful,” he told CBC News. “It’s so hard to see how families suffer. There’s no justice with what’s happening.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that the arrested suspects had helped guide investigators to the remains, emphasizing that the case remains under investigation.
The kidnappings occurred amid ongoing violence in the region. Sinaloa has been the site of prolonged clashes between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel, a conflict that has destabilized parts of the state for more than a year.
