Nine gondolas that were stolen from the Peñasquitos mine in Zacatecas have been found in Durango, according to the Attorney General's Office (FGR). The theft occurred a week ago when an armed group took the gondolas that were transporting 240 tons of mineral concentrates in three trucks. The Peñasquitos mine is dedicated to the extraction of gold and silver in the country.
The FGR delegate in Durango, Víctor Fernando Ruiz Méndez, confirmed that the gondolas were found abandoned in the municipality of Cuencamé, Durango. At the time they were located, they were empty, out of a total of 9 of the 11 stolen days ago. The whereabouts of the stolen material is still unknown, and investigations are underway into possible locations where it may have been unloaded.
The gondolas were found on a dirt road between the towns of La Fe and Agua Vieja, in the municipality of Cuencamé, Durango. The National Guard reported the discovery of the heavy machinery that was transporting the unprocessed mineral. These will be taken to Durango and then returned to Zacatecas, where the investigation into the multimillion-dollar robbery at the Peñasquitos mine was opened.
Óscar Galván Villarreal, Secretary of Public Security in Durango, pointed out that the find was in a remote area away from populated places. No arrests have been made in relation to this case; only the recovery of the vehicles that are part of a federal investigation has been achieved.
The theft of 240 tons of concentrate containing gold, silver, zinc, and lead from the El Peñasquito mine occurred on October 31 in Zacatecas. The area where the robbery took place is known to be allegedly linked with "El Mayo Zambada" and affiliated groups. Authorities are conducting investigations to find those responsible for this theft.
The company Newmont has not disclosed the exact value of the stolen goods. The gondolas are being guarded by National Guard personnel in the municipality of Gómez Palacio.