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Over 200 dead in coltan mine collapse in eastern Congo
2026-01-30 23:18:50 / BOTA
More than 200 people have died this week after a coltan mine collapsed in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a representative of the rebel-appointed governor of the province where the mine is located told Reuters on Friday.
Rubaya produces about 15% of the world's coltan, a mineral from which tantalum, a heat-resistant metal much sought after by the mobile phone, computer and aerospace industries, is processed. The area has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since 2024, with local residents working in the mine on an artisanal basis for just a few dollars a day.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday and the exact number of victims remained unclear as of Friday evening.
"More than 200 people lost their lives in this landslide, including miners, women and children who were in the market. Some were rescued, but are in serious condition," Lubumba Kambere Muyisa said.
An adviser to the governor said the confirmed death toll is at least 227, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to the United Nations, the M23 rebel group has exploited Rubaya's mineral wealth to finance its insurgency, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda, an accusation that Kigali has denied.
Heavily armed rebels, who aim to overthrow the government in Kinshasa and protect the Tutsi minority in eastern Congo, have seized control of other mineral-rich territories during a rapid offensive last year.
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