Five Missing Workers from Canadian Mine Identified Among Bodies Found in Sinaloa Graves
MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities confirmed on Monday that five of the 10 workers who went missing from a mine operated by a Canadian company in late January have been identified among bodies discovered in clandestine graves in the northwestern state of Sinaloa. The grim discovery was made last week near the community of El Verde in the municipality of Concordia, an area known for ongoing cartel violence.
The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) stated that forensic experts positively identified five of the victims from the 10 bodies recovered at the site. Efforts are continuing to identify the remaining five sets of remains. The workers were employed by Vizsla Silver Corp., a Vancouver-based mining company developing the Panuco silver and gold project in the region.
Vizsla Silver Corp. issued a statement Monday acknowledging the tragedy. “Vizsla Silver Corp. reports that it has been informed by a number of families that their relatives, our colleagues, who were taken from the company’s project site in Concordia, Mexico, have been found deceased,” the company stated.
Michael Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla Silver, expressed his condolences. “We are devastated by this outcome and the tragic loss of life. Our deepest condolences are with our colleagues’ families, friends, and co-workers, and the entire community of Concordia,” Konnert said. The company emphasized that its focus remains on supporting the affected families and ensuring the safety of its personnel.
The 10 workers were abducted on January 23 when armed men reportedly stormed the company’s facilities and forced them into vehicles. The incident triggered a large-scale search operation involving federal and state forces, including the National Guard and the Mexican Army.
On Friday, authorities announced the discovery of the clandestine graves and human remains in the Concordia area. Following the discovery, four individuals were arrested in connection with the disappearances. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated on Monday that the detained suspects had provided information that led authorities to the location of the bodies. “Everything is under investigation,” Sheinbaum told reporters during her morning press briefing.
Among the identified victims are José Manuel Castañeda Hernández, a 43-year-old geologist, as well as Ignacio Aurelio Salazar Flores and José Ángel Hernández Vélez. Family members have expressed their grief and frustration over the lack of security in the region. Jaime Castañeda, brother of José Manuel, told reporters he identified his brother’s body on Sunday through photographs provided by officials in Mazatlán.
The municipality of Concordia has become a flashpoint for violence as rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel—specifically “Los Chapitos” and a faction loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada—battle for control of the territory. The conflict has intensified over the past year, leading to a surge in disappearances and homicides in the state.
The mining sector in Mexico has occasionally faced threats from organized crime groups seeking to extort companies or control valuable mineral resources. Vizsla Silver had previously paused some operations due to security conditions in the area.
As forensic work continues to identify the remaining bodies, the local community and the mining industry await further answers regarding the motive behind the mass abduction and subsequent killings.
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