KINSHASA, Jan 31 (Alliance News): More than 200 people have died following a catastrophic collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, local authorities reported on Friday.
The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, also left dozens injured, including miners, children, and market vendors, as rescue efforts continue.
Rubaya, a major coltan-producing site, accounts for roughly 15 percent of the world’s output of the mineral used to manufacture tantalum, a heat-resistant metal essential for mobile phones, computers, aerospace components, and gas turbines.
The mine, where locals dig manually for meager daily wages, has been under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group since 2024.
Lubumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed provincial governor, told Reuters that about 20 of the injured were receiving medical treatment. “We are in the rainy season. The ground is fragile. It was the ground that gave way while the victims were in the hole,” he said.
An adviser to the governor, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that at least 227 deaths have been verified.
Rescue teams have been working under difficult conditions to recover survivors and bodies from the fragile mining site.
The United Nations has previously accused AFC/M23 of exploiting Rubaya’s mineral wealth to fund its insurgency, which it claims is backed by the Rwandan government—allegations Kigali denies.
The heavily armed rebel group, whose stated objective is to protect the Congolese Tutsi minority and challenge Kinshasa’s authority, seized additional mineral-rich territories in eastern Congo during a rapid advance last year.
This tragedy highlights the ongoing risks faced by artisanal miners in conflict-affected regions, particularly during the rainy season when unstable terrain and rudimentary mining methods compound dangers.
Local communities dependent on these mines face extreme vulnerability, with little oversight or safety measures in place.
Authorities have appealed for humanitarian assistance and urged international organizations to provide support for rescue operations and medical treatment for survivors.
The incident also raises renewed concerns about global supply chains for critical minerals, given Rubaya’s importance to the electronics and aerospace industries.
As the investigation continues, officials have pledged to determine the exact circumstances of the collapse and enhance safety measures to prevent future disasters in the region’s conflict-affected mining zones.
