Illegal Mining

Peru authorities burn an illegal mining site

Brief

After Massive Police Op, What’s Next in Fight Against Illegal Gold?

by Parker Asmann 7 Jul 201724 Apr 2023

An abandoned mine in Buriticá, Colombia

After the Gold Rush: Colombian Town Counts Cost of Illegal Mining Boom

by James Bargent 22 Jun 201724 Apr 2023

An Indugel explosives seizure

Inside Colombia’s Multimillion-Dollar Black Market Explosives Trade

by Mimi Yagoub 14 Jun 201724 Apr 2023

Satellite photos showing deforestation caused by illegal mining in Peru

Brief

Peru Authorities Struggle to Combat Illegal Mining as Deforestation Continues

by Leonardo Goi 24 May 201724 Apr 2023

Brief

Illegal Gold Mining in Costa Rica Suggests Diversifying Criminal Landscape

by Parker Asmann 24 May 201724 Apr 2023

An illegal mine in Peru's Madre de Dios department

Peru-US Gold Case Shows How Importer Shifted Gears

by Leonardo Goi 22 May 201724 Apr 2023

UrabeÃ±os paramilitaries and ELN guerrillas clash in ChocÃ³

Violent History Repeats Itself in Colombia’s Strategic Chocó Department

by Nathalia Ávila and Tristan Clavel 28 Mar 201724 Apr 2023

Peru police on an anti-illegal mining operation

Brief

Peru Launches Dual Strategy to Tackle Illegal Mining Boom

by James Bargent 20 Jan 201724 Apr 2023

Gold mining

GameChangers 2016: Illegal Mining and Continuing Criminal Diversification

by Angela Olaya 11 Jan 201724 Apr 2023

Much of Panama's illegal mining occurs in remote areas

Brief

Which Colombia Crime Groups Run Illegal Mining in Panama?

by Mimi Yagoub 16 Nov 201624 Apr 2023

A policeman in front of an abandoned gold mine in La Pampa

Brief

Illegal Gold Mining Fueling Crime, Violence in Peru

by Tristan Clavel 10 Oct 201624 Apr 2023

Illegal gold is increasing in importance as a source of revenue for crime groups

Illegal Mining a Golden Opportunity for Mexico Crime Groups

by Patrick Corcoran 29 Sep 201624 Apr 2023

Stay Informed With InSight Crime

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a weekly digest of the latest organized crime news and stay up-to-date on major events, trends, and criminal dynamics from across the region.

We go into the field to interview, report, and investigate. We then verify, write, and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact.

Our work is costly and high risk. Please support our mission investigating organized crime.