- Bodies discovered in Mexico during search for missing Vizsla Silver workers; legal scrutiny mounts
- Mexican authorities discovered bodies and remains in Sinaloa during the search for 10 abducted Vizsla Silver (TSX:VZLA) workers, with one body matching characteristics of a missing individual
- Four suspects have been arrested, and the government has deployed additional troops amid ongoing cartel-related violence in the Concordia region where the workers were taken
- Vizsla Silver’s stock fell nearly 15 per cent after reporting the abductions, and law firms are investigating potential investor claims; the company previously suffered a fatal landslide incident in 2025
- Vizsla Silver stock last traded at (TSX:VZLA) last traded at C$6.27
Mexican authorities on Friday announced the discovery of bodies and human remains in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, in the same mountainous region where an intensive search is underway for ten workers abducted from facilities operated by Vancouver-based Vizsla Silver (TSX:VZLA).
The Mexican Attorney General’s Office confirmed that one of the recovered bodies had the “characteristics of one of the people reported as missing,” though investigators did not specify how many bodies or sets of remains were found. Four people believed to be involved in the disappearances have been arrested.
Authorities said the remains were located in El Verde, in the municipality of Concordia, where the Canadian mining company operates. The region has been embroiled for more than a year in a violent turf war between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel, intensifying risks for civilians and workers alike.
Abduction and search efforts
Vizsla Silver first reported the abduction on January 28, stating that “10 individuals were taken” from its project site. The company also confirmed that it had alerted authorities and activated its internal crisis management and security response teams.
The federal government responded by increasing troop deployments throughout Sinaloa and launching an expanded operation to locate the missing employees. Organized crime groups have previously targeted mining operations in Mexico, often seeking to extort companies or capture valuable ore for resale.
As of late Friday, Vizsla Silver had not responded to requests for comment from journalists.
Legal and investor fallout
In the wake of the abductions and discovery of remains, several law firms have begun investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Vizsla Silver securities.
According to the company’s January 29, 2026 press release, the abduction of the ten workers led Vizsla to temporarily suspend certain activities at and near the site as a precautionary measure. Following the announcement, Vizsla Silver’s stock price fell $1.02 per share, or 14.87 per cent, closing at $5.84 on January 29, 2026.
History of safety incidents
The latest crisis follows a previous fatal incident involving the company. In January 2025, a landslide reached one of Vizsla Silver’s exploration drill pads at its Panuco silver and gold project, killing an employee of Bylsa Drilling S.A. de C.V., a contractor working on the project.
Ongoing investigation
Mexican officials continue to work to identify the remains recovered near El Verde. Investigators are conducting forensic analyses while pursuing leads linked to cartel groups active in the region. Authorities have indicated that the area where the workers were taken is under influence of cartel factions, rendering the investigation and search operations increasingly dangerous.
About Vizsla Silver
Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mining company focused on exploration and development in Mexico.
Vizsla Silver stock (TSX:VZLA) closed 6.63 per cent higher on Friday at C$6.27 and has risen more than 98 per cent since this time last year.
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