Eastern Congo mine disaster: At least 200 killed in Coltan mine collapse

Goma/New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A massive landslide in the Rubaya coltan (columbite-tantalite) mining area in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has devastated hundreds of families. Several illegal and small-scale mines collapsed after heavy rains, killing at least 200 people. Many more are feared trapped under the debris.

Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesman for the governor appointed by the M23 rebel group, said the death toll was rising. He said many bodies were still trapped in the mud and debris, and they could not be retrieved. The dead included miners, children, and women working in the market.

Dozens injured, condition critical

About 20 people injured in the accident are being treated at local health centers. Those seriously injured will be transferred by ambulance to the nearby city of Goma on Saturday. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the death toll could reach 227.

The Rubaya mines are under the control of the M23 rebel group, which has held the area since April 2024. The region is of significant global importance, producing approximately 15 percent of the world's coltan. Tantalum, obtained from coltan, is used in the manufacture of smartphones, electronic devices, and modern technology.

Mining here is small-scale, with laborers digging by hand and earning just a few dollars for a day's work. Due to a severe lack of safety measures, accidents often prove fatal. Following the accident, the M23-appointed governor has ordered a temporary halt to small-scale mining in the Rubaya area, and ordered the relocation of people living in slums around the mines to safer locations.

It is worth noting that eastern Congo has been experiencing violence and instability for decades. There is ongoing conflict between government forces, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, and other armed groups. Despite being mineral-rich, the region suffers from a serious humanitarian crisis, insecurity, and natural disasters. This accident once again highlights the neglected safety measures for mining workers.