Sonora’s Authorities Close Clandestine Mining Site in Pitiquito

The government of Sonora reported the discovery and closure of an illegal gold mine in the Pitiquito municipality. Authorities reported the illegal mining site endangered flora and represented a disruption for local habitats.

A coordinated operation involving the Sonora Ministry of Public Security (SSP), the Navy (SEMAR), the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR), and the Criminal Investigation Agency (AMIC) took place in the Cienega area of Pitiquito, leading to the discovery and closure of a clandestine mine.

During the operation, eight individuals were detained, and heavy machinery and equipment used for illegal extraction were seized. According to the Sonora government, the intervention followed several months of investigation, intelligence gathering, and surveillance, which revealed illegal mining activities taking place without the necessary permits. These operations were found to adversely affect the local ecosystem, including deforestation and disruption of local wildlife habitats. “Detained individuals were informed of their rights and, along with the confiscated materials, were turned over to the Federal Attorney General's Office for legal processing,” reads the local government’s website.

In response to this operation, the SSP established a State Police operational base in the La Cienega region to ensure a continuous presence in the area, aiming to protect the local community and prevent further illegal mining activities.