Vizsla Silver confirms nine dead workers linked to Mexico’s Panuco project

The Canadian miner said nine colleagues have now been confirmed dead following the January abduction in Concordia, Sinaloa, while one person remains missing and the investigation continues.

Vizsla Silver has confirmed that nine colleagues have been found dead following the January abduction of workers linked to its Panuco silver-gold project in Concordia, Sinaloa, Mexico. The company said it remains in close contact with the family of one colleague who is still missing and continues to support Mexican authorities in the ongoing investigation.

In an update released on April 6, 2026, the Vancouver-based company described the outcome as devastating and said it would continue supporting the affected families and the local community in Sinaloa. Vizsla Silver added that it would provide a separate operational update later.

January abduction at Concordia led to months-long search

The case began in late January 2026, when a group of workers connected to the Panuco project was abducted in the municipality of Concordia. In early February, Mexico’s attorney general’s office said 10 bodies had been recovered in the area and that five had initially been identified, while forensic teams worked on the remaining bodies.

By March 5, Vizsla Silver had confirmed two additional worker deaths, bringing the previously confirmed total to five at that stage. With the company’s latest update, the number of confirmed deceased workers has now risen to nine.

Vizsla says it is cooperating with Mexican authorities

Vizsla Silver said it is fully supporting the investigation and maintaining contact with the family of the missing colleague. President and CEO Michael Konnert said the company would continue to stand beside the families affected by the loss and honour its colleagues through its ongoing work and commitment to the community.

Reuters previously reported that the abductions took place in an area security authorities said was under the control of Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa cartel linked to the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Panuco remains Vizsla Silver’s flagship asset in Mexico

Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100%-owned Panuco project in Sinaloa, which it describes as its flagship silver-gold asset. The company’s public filings and corporate materials continue to present Panuco as the centrepiece of its growth strategy in Mexico.

The latest confirmation marks one of the most serious security-related incidents affecting mining personnel in Mexico in recent months, and it has drawn renewed attention to operating risks in regions where organized crime remains a major threat.