More Than 200 Dead in Eastern DR Congo Coltan Mine Collapse

More than 200 people have been reported killed following a devastating collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to local authorities and rebel-appointed officials.

The mine, located about 60 kilometres northwest of Goma in North Kivu province, collapsed on Wednesday after heavy rainfall weakened the ground. The exact number of casualties remains unclear as rescue efforts continue.

Children, Miners Among Victims

Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed provincial administration, said the victims included miners, children and women who sell goods at the mining site.

“More than 200 people were victims of this landslide. Some were rescued just in time but sustained serious injuries,” he said, adding that around 20 injured people are currently receiving treatment in health facilities.

Officials say several people are still believed to be trapped underground.

Heavy Rains Blamed

Authorities attributed the tragedy to unstable ground conditions caused by the ongoing rainy season.

“We are in the rainy season. The ground is fragile. It was the ground that gave way while the victims were in the hole,” Muyisa explained.

An artisanal miner at the site, Franck Bolingo, told AFP that the collapse happened shortly after heavy rainfall.

“It rained, then the landslide happened and swept people away. Some were buried alive, and others are still trapped in the shafts,” he said.

Death Toll Yet to Be Confirmed

Eraston Bahati Musanga, the governor of North Kivu appointed by the M23 rebel group, confirmed that bodies had been recovered but did not provide a specific death toll.

An adviser to the provincial governor, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the number of people killed exceeded 200. Independent verification of the figures remains difficult due to limited access to the area.

Strategic Mine Under Rebel Control

Rubaya is one of the world’s most significant coltan-producing sites, accounting for about 15 percent of global supply. Coltan is refined into tantalum, a metal used in mobile phones, computers, aerospace components and gas turbines.

The mine has been under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group since 2024. The United Nations has accused the group of exploiting the mine to finance its operations, allegations Rwanda has repeatedly denied.

Poverty Amid Mineral Wealth

Despite the DRC’s vast mineral resources, poverty remains widespread. More than 70 percent of Congolese live on less than $2.15 a day, with many relying on dangerous artisanal mining for survival.

The disaster has renewed concerns over safety conditions at informal mining sites across the conflict-affected eastern region.