In brief
An explosive blast was followed minutes later by a massive landslide that trapped workers underground at an open‑air artisanal gold mine near Policarpa, Nariño province. At least 13 miners lost their lives and seven were injured. The site, which operates without official licences, is frequented by members of the Quillacinga indigenous group and other local miners, estimated at about 50 annually. Between 200,000 and 400,000 people across Colombia engage in similar artisanal mining activities, many relying on the recoveries for their livelihoods. The tragedy underscores the persistent dangers of unregulated mining practices in the region.
At least 13 workers were killed and seven injured when a landslide slammed a mine in Policarpa, Nariño province, southern Colombia. Witnesses reported an explosion at the open‑air, artisanal gold mine on Wednesday afternoon, moments before the rubble swept away those underground.
Local officials confirmed that the mine operates without a licence, a common situation across the country where many miners work without regulatory oversight. The casualties include four members of the same indigenous family, underscoring the community‑centric nature of the workforce.
Around 50 people, mainly from the Quillacinga tribe, regularly work at the Policarpa mine. In Colombia, it is estimated that between 200,000 and 400,000 artisanal miners are engaged in the extraction of precious metals and stones, many of whom depend on the income from sales to support their families.
