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.

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.

Peru is assigning the military with the task of regaining control of a mineral-rich area of the country’s northern highlands after 13 gold-mine workers were kidnapped and murdered.