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At Least 3 Die in Collapse of Gold Mine At Least 3 Die in Collapse of Gold Mine
(4 months later)
CARACAS, Venezuela — At least three people were killed in the collapse of an illegal gold mine in western Colombia, and rescuers were searching for other miners believed to be missing, officials said on Thursday. CARACAS, Venezuela — At least three people were killed in the collapse of an illegal gold mine in western Colombia, and rescuers were searching for other miners believed to be missing, officials said on Thursday.
The collapse occurred late Wednesday night in a mine near Santander de Quilichao, south of the city of Cali, the officials said.The collapse occurred late Wednesday night in a mine near Santander de Quilichao, south of the city of Cali, the officials said.
Miners in the area typically use backhoes to cut deep trenches in the ground in search of gold. It appeared that the wall of one of those excavations collapsed, killing the miners.Miners in the area typically use backhoes to cut deep trenches in the ground in search of gold. It appeared that the wall of one of those excavations collapsed, killing the miners.
Local news media reported that many miners were believed missing.Local news media reported that many miners were believed missing.
The governor of Cauca State, where the mine is located, blamed the central government for failing to shut down illegal mines.The governor of Cauca State, where the mine is located, blamed the central government for failing to shut down illegal mines.
“This mine has not been closed because of government inefficiency,” said the governor, Temístocles Ortega. “Even though here in Cauca we have complained, the appropriate authorities have not taken the necessary measures.”“This mine has not been closed because of government inefficiency,” said the governor, Temístocles Ortega. “Even though here in Cauca we have complained, the appropriate authorities have not taken the necessary measures.”
He said that in February officials had conducted an operation to close the mine where Wednesday’s accident occurred but had been able to seize only four of the eight backhoes they found there, and the mine was able to continue operating.He said that in February officials had conducted an operation to close the mine where Wednesday’s accident occurred but had been able to seize only four of the eight backhoes they found there, and the mine was able to continue operating.
The local news media reported that efforts to close mines had met with resistance from miners and their communities.The local news media reported that efforts to close mines had met with resistance from miners and their communities.
The national ombudsman’s office said in a statement that after the seizure of the backhoes at the mine a local government official received death threats and resigned.The national ombudsman’s office said in a statement that after the seizure of the backhoes at the mine a local government official received death threats and resigned.
The ombudsman’s office said that the country’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, is involved in illegal mining in the area and that it charges fees for the use of backhoes.The ombudsman’s office said that the country’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, is involved in illegal mining in the area and that it charges fees for the use of backhoes.
The office said that it had repeatedly warned government officials about the dangers linked to illegal mining, including pollution and the contamination of groundwater.The office said that it had repeatedly warned government officials about the dangers linked to illegal mining, including pollution and the contamination of groundwater.