Safe Stolen by Criminals in Bahia from Largest Diamond Mine in South America

01/10/2017 - 12h42

A group of approximately 20 men robbed the Lipari Northeastern Mining Company (340 km from Salvador) on Sunday (the 9th).

The criminals showed up at the Braúna mine around 11 PM, knocking down the gates and immobilizing the security guards.

The thieves used explosives to gain access to the vault where the safe was kept.

The safe was stolen, but neither the company nor the police have confirmed whether there were diamonds at the locale or the extent of the loss.

Company employees were taken hostage during the criminal operation which lasted nearly an hour.

The Folha has learned that the police were already investigating the possibility of a robbery at the mine. In the last few weeks, drones had been spotted overflying the area of the mining company.

When contacted, Lipari Mining Company said that it was waiting for the result of the investigation before making any declaration. Braúna is the largest diamond mine in South American and processes 2.000 tons of Kimberlite, the primary source of diamonds, every day.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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