More than 200 people have been killed in a mine collapse in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to rebel authorities, with the incident highlighting the perilous conditions in artisanal mining operations in the region.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday at the Rubaya coltan mine, located approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Heavy rains triggered a landslide that caused several mine shafts to give way, burying miners who were extracting coltan, a mineral crucial for electronics manufacturing. Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesman for the rebel-appointed governor, confirmed the death toll on Friday, stating that the victims included miners, children, and market women who were present at the site.
Casualties from the disaster are extensive, with over 200 confirmed dead and around 20 survivors receiving medical treatment for serious injuries. Artisanal miners, often working without formal employment or safety protocols, were among those trapped and killed. A former mine supervisor cited poor maintenance and the fragile nature of the soil as key factors that exacerbated the collapse and hindered rescue efforts, leaving many families in shock and mourning.
The Rubaya mine has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since 2024, following years of shifting ownership between government forces and various armed factions. M23, which is accused by the United Nations of being backed by neighboring Rwanda, has seized significant territory in eastern DRC, including mineral-rich areas. The group imposes taxes on mining activities, allegedly using the proceeds to fund their rebellion, while local miners work manually for meager wages in dangerous conditions.
Coltan from Rubaya accounts for about 15% of the world’s supply, with the ore processed into tantalum for use in smartphones, computers, and aerospace components. Despite the high global demand, the economic benefits rarely trickle down to Congolese communities, where over 70% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day. This disparity underscores the chronic issues of resource exploitation and poverty in the region, where mining accidents are frequent due to lax regulations and conflict.
Rescue operations have been hampered by the remote location and ongoing instability in North Kivu. Erasto Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor, visited survivors on Friday, but efforts to recover bodies and assist the injured remain challenging. Franck Bolingo, an artisanal miner at Rubaya, reported that some individuals are still believed to be trapped in the shafts, with hopes of finding more survivors dwindling as time passes.
The international community has long criticized the conditions in DRC’s mining sector, with human rights groups calling for improved safety standards and accountability. The UN has repeatedly accused M23 of plundering resources, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo. This latest disaster is likely to reignite debates over conflict minerals and the need for ethical sourcing in global supply chains.
Moving forward, local authorities and international organizations must address the root causes of such tragedies, including investment in mine safety, regulation of artisanal mining, and resolution of the armed conflict. The victims’ families await justice and support, while the world is reminded of the human cost behind the electronics we use daily.
