The men were killed in a region that has seen growing conflict over access to ore in recent years. The mine has also been a hotbed of illegal gold mining.

Mining in Peru's northern district of Pataz will be suspended for 30 days, President Dina Boluarte said on Monday, after 13 gold mine workers in the area were kidnapped and killed by illegal miners. Peru's government also plans to set up a military base and implement a curfew lasting from 6 p.

Much of Peru is awash in a wave of crime that prompted the government to declare a state of emergency last month​.