06:28 AM EDT, 07/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Santacruz Silver Mining ( SZSMF ) , which rose 6.25% and nearer to 52 week highs yesterday, overnight Tuesday reported that an employee was fatally injured at the Tres Amigos mine, part of the Caballo Blanco Group of mines, in Bolivia.

A statement said: "A small group of illegal miners unlawfully entered the Tres Amigos mine at a level above where the company was operating and proceeded to use explosives. This caused rockfall on the level below where Santacruz employees were working, and one employee was fatality injured. Safety personnel were immediately notified and followed mine rescue protocols to close the mine, attend to all employees and remove these illegal miners from the area. The mine has since resumed operations."

Executive Chairman and CEO Arturo Prestamo said the company has initiated a "detailed investigation and is working closely with the local authorities to prevent an incident like this from happening again". Prestamo added the company will consider taking legal against those responsible once the investigation is complete.