Kinshasa (The COW News Digital) At least 200 people have died following the collapse of a coltan mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities confirmed on Saturday. The disaster occurred at the Rubaya mine in North Kivu province, about 60 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital, Goma.
The provincial governor, appointed by the M23 rebel group, reported that the collapse struck during heavy rainfall, causing the unstable earth to give way while miners and local workers were inside. The victims included miners, children, and women working in nearby market areas. Some were rescued but remain critically injured. Around 20 individuals are receiving treatment at local medical facilities.
“The ground gave way while people were inside the mine,” said Frank Bolingo, a traditional miner at Rubaya, speaking to AFP. “Some have been buried alive, and others may still be trapped in the tunnels.”
The Rubaya mine is a major source of coltan, a heat-resistant metal used in mobile phones, computers, aerospace equipment, and gas turbines. The site produces nearly 15% of the world’s coltan supply. Miners in the area often work by hand, earning just a few dollars a day, highlighting the stark contrast between the region’s mineral wealth and local poverty.
The mine has been under the control of the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, since 2024. Previously, control shifted between the DRC government and various armed factions. The region’s ongoing instability and the hazardous conditions of artisanal mining have repeatedly led to fatal accidents.
The disaster underscores the risks faced by miners in North Kivu and the broader challenges of regulating artisanal mining in conflict-affected areas. Emergency teams are working to rescue those trapped and recover bodies, while authorities continue to assess the full scale of the tragedy.
International news agencies caution that independent verification of the death toll remains limited due to restricted access to the site. Nonetheless, local officials have indicated that the loss of life is significant, making it one of the deadliest mining accidents in recent years in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Rubaya mine collapse highlights the urgent need for improved safety standards, infrastructure, and oversight to protect workers in the DRC’s mineral-rich yet volatile regions.
