LatinNews Daily - 31 May 2023

* The Chinese mining group Zijin-Continental Gold has urged Colombia’s government to intervene immediately in response to attacks on its Buriticá gold mine in the north-western department of Antioquia. Zijin-Continental released a statement denouncing attacks against the mine over the past month, stating that one worker had been shot on 29 May and two operational vehicles had been targeted on 30 May, resulting in workers having to be evacuated. On 17 May the mine suffered another attack in which explosives were used, claiming the lives of two people, and injuring 14. In a statement on its website, Zijin-Continental condemned the “heinous actions of the criminals” and described the attack as a “serious crime against the international mining industry”. Zijin-Continental mentioned that illegal mining activities are ongoing in the area, and expressed concerns over the intensification of aggression being used in the form of explosives and weapons. Zijin-Continental is calling on the Colombian government to take “effective and immediate action to regain territorial control in Buriticá” and take measures to protect the rights of workers, communities, and those working legitimately in the area.