A new sinkhole has opened up near the Guerrero town of Pinzán Morado due to an abandoned mine shaft caving in.

The hole is 15 meters deep and 12 meters across and opened up 500 meters from the town, located in the Tierra Caliente municipality of Coyuca de Catalán.

Authorities cordoned off the area and started a risk assessment study but said the new sinkhole does not represent a danger to residents.

Another sinkhole appeared in that town last year. It measured 40 meters across and 100 meters deep.

Close to 30 dwellings and two schools were evacuated in July due to the high risk of collapse caused by the unstable ground.

A resident declared at the time that the Calentana gold and silver mine had operated for more than 25 years before it was shut down four years ago.

Source: Excélsior (sp)