(Kitco News) - A police officer died and others were injured after an outbreak of violence at B2Gold Corp.’s (TSX-BTO, NYSE MKT-BTG, NSX-B2G) El Limon Mine in Nicaragua Tuesday, the company reported.
Violence broke out when the Nicaraguan National Police attempted to clear access to the mining operation’s main entrance, B2 Gold Nicaragua reported. A Reuters report said the violence began when police officers were protecting a company bus transporting miners from El Limon to another mine.
According to news reports, as more than 20 police were injured, with one fatality. Civilian injuries also occurred.
B2Gold reported earlier in the week that access to the El Limon Mine and process facility has been blocked since Sept. 28 by a small group of workers, community members and other people not affiliated with El Limon Mine, adding that the standoff is linked to an earlier dismissal of three employees. The company refers to the situation as an “illegal blockade.”
“Our solidarity is with the family and friends of the fallen officer, a victim of violent acts at El Limon Mine that have not only caused irreparable harm to a Nicaraguan family but that affect the entire community of the mining district,” said Martin Esparza, general manager of B2Gold’s El Limon Mine.
The company reported that hundreds of workers of the El Limon Mine and community members of the mining district met this week and asked for mining operations to be reinitiated.
“In the coming days, B2Gold will review the situation with labor and government in order to determine an appropriate strategy to lead the community, workforce and mine toward the sustainable future it has worked for and needs,” B2Gold said in a news release.