Over 200 Dead After Landslide Hits Coltan Mine in DR Congo

A devastating landslide at a mining site in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of more than 200 people, according to the country’s government.

The tragic incident occurred at the Rubaya coltan mining site in North Kivu province, located in the eastern part of the country. Authorities say the collapse happened after heavy rainfall triggered a massive landslide, causing several mining shafts to cave in and bury workers operating underground.

In a statement released by the DRC Ministry of Mines, officials confirmed that the provisional death toll has exceeded 200, with approximately 70 children among the victims. Many others were injured in the disaster and have been transported to medical facilities in nearby areas for treatment.

The Rubaya mining area has been under the control of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group since 2024. The security situation in the region has complicated rescue operations and made it difficult for authorities and humanitarian organizations to access the site quickly.

The government noted that the mining zone had previously been declared a “red zone”, meaning mining activities were discouraged due to safety risks and the unstable nature of the terrain. Despite these warnings, artisanal miners continued working in the area in search of valuable minerals.

The Rubaya mine is one of the largest sources of coltan, a mineral used to produce tantalum, which is essential for manufacturing electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and other high-tech equipment. The site contributes a significant share of the global supply of the mineral.

Thousands of miners work at the site using basic tools and often without proper safety measures. These dangerous working conditions make landslides and mine collapses more likely, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

Residents in the area described the landslide as sudden and catastrophic. One artisanal miner said the mountain slope gave way after days of intense rainfall, causing the ground to collapse and bury numerous workers under mud and debris.

According to witnesses, the earth “swallowed many people,” leaving rescue teams struggling to recover bodies and search for survivors.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, although officials fear the death toll could continue to rise as more bodies are recovered from the collapsed mine shafts. Authorities have also expressed concern that several people may still be trapped underground.

The disaster highlights the dangerous conditions faced by thousands of artisanal miners in the DRC, where mining accidents frequently occur due to poor safety standards and unstable geological conditions.

Source: Thepressradio.com