In Mexico’s Murder Capital, Signs of Gold Rush Are Emerging

In Mexico’s Guerrero state, a lot is hidden in the dirt, secrets both gruesome and wonderful. The unmarked graves that dot the rolling hillsides give Guerrero its moniker as Mexico’s murder capital. But there’s gold here, too -- lots of gold.

Toronto-based Torex Gold Resources Inc. opened its first mine earlier this year, representing a rare victory in Mexico’s efforts to fuel economic growth in a state ravaged by drug gangs fighting over the opium crops that feed U.S. heroin habits. Two other Canadian miners, Timmins Gold Corp. and Minaurum Gold Inc., have plans to explore and develop their own sites. In a region with very little going for it, local officials and workers hope the trio of investments could be the start of something bigger.