An artisanal gold mine in southeastern Venezuela collapsed, leaving at least 12 people dead, the government announced on Sunday.
In November, local non-governmental organization SOS Orinoco reported a previous landslide at the same mine. Agents from Venezuela's risk management and civil protection agency assisting those affected by the mine collapse.
The agency said that it was providing food, water and medical provisions to those affected, while also coordinating the transfer of the bodies to Puerto Ordaz, about 700 kilometers to the north of the mine.
According to a report by Mining.com, Venezuela’s prolonged economic collapse prompted informal mining operations to flourish in in remote, mineral-rich areas of the country. Thousands of illegal miners work to extract lucrative metals, especially gold, in unsafe environment.
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
