Peru mystery meteorite to be extracted

According to andina, Peru's government news agency, Peru's Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (INGEMMET) reported today that Russian meteorite traffickers were persuading authorities and citizens in Puno, Peru to extract the fallen meteorite for economic gain. The Regional Geology Director for INGEMMET, Hernando Núñez del Prado stated, "I've been told that foreigners, with Russian nationalities, have been manipulating the people, telling them that if they don't extract the probable fragments that are in the deep (crater), they will turn to ash and disappear." In addition, Núñez del Prado revealed that municipal authorities from Desaguadero and Chucuito would begin digging for the meteorite using heavy machinery. In the specialist's opinion this would cause an uproar among the townspeople. "If municipal authorities come in with backhoes and find fragments in the deep (crater), people will throw themselves on (the fragments) because they know the value of the meteorite, there could be accidents, even a slaughter," warned Peru's Regional Geology Director. Núñez del Prado told Andina News Agency that the excavation project could destroy the meteorite fragments due to the fact that the Municipalities had not done a technical survey or study of the area.

He added that the Geological Institute had much more precise methods for extracting the meteorite fragments. "They are looking to recover remains of the meteorite to sell them and make money. They will probably say they are going to preserve them and put them in a museum," affirmed Núñez del Prado.