Precious metals boom catches the attention of organized crime in Mexico

Precious metals boom catches the attention of organized crime in Mexico

The kidnapping of 10 miners in Sinaloa in January has brought to light yet another facet of the security crisis that has plagued Mexico’s mining sector for years, fueled by the surge in silver and gold prices. Criminal organizations, which exert territorial control in some of the most resource-rich areas, extort domestic and foreign companies, driving up production costs and security budgets. Companies are forced to pay protection money or to di…