According to a former employee and two ex-contractors, the management of a Canadian mining company in Mexico, where workers were killed earlier this year, had reportedly established some form of coordination with an organized armed group in the region. Mexican federal authorities have stated that a suspected faction of the Sinaloa cartel, a transnational drug trafficking organization, was responsible for the deaths of five out of the ten Mexican workers kidnapped from Vizsla Silver Corp.’s residential facilities on January 23. The remaining five workers are still officially missing.
The abduction took place in Concordia, a municipality located approximately 50 kilometers east of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, where Vizsla Silver Corp has been conducting exploration work as part of the Panuco Project across 35,000 hectares. The region was mainly controlled by an organized armed group, with reports of armed men using drones and armored vehicles while maintaining a significant presence in the area.
The former employee described the region as a “war zone,” mentioning conflicts between different groups operating in the area. Security concerns were raised by the workers throughout 2025, with management reassuring them that there was no danger due to supposed arrangements made with the armed group.
Vizsla Silver’s official statement
Vizsla Silver Corp released a statement emphasizing its commitment to the safety of its employees and refuting the allegations made by former workers. The company stated that it is cooperating with Mexican authorities to investigate the tragic events and reiterated that its security measures are based on industry standards and intelligence.
Experts have highlighted the ongoing civil war within the Sinaloa cartel as a significant factor in the region’s instability, leading to violence and criminal activities. The conflict between rival factions has impacted various areas, including where Vizsla Silver operated.
According to the workers, the deteriorating security situation led to management dismissing concerns and downplaying the risks faced by the workforce. Incidents such as armed groups using company vehicles without permission further exacerbated the tense environment.
Insights from security consultant
Security consultant David Saucedo mentioned that it is not uncommon for mining companies in Mexico to encounter challenges with organized criminal groups and navigate negotiations to continue operations. Despite these claims, Vizsla Silver denies any involvement with criminal entities.
The former workers shared their experiences of working in similar projects where management was more supportive and responsive to security threats, unlike the situation they faced at Vizsla Silver. The company, which began operating in the region in 2019, aims to capitalize on high-grade silver deposits and become a significant player in the global silver market.
