Over 200 Dead in Collapsing Coltan Mine in Democratic Republic of Congo
More than 200 people have lost their lives following the collapse of a coltan mine in the Rubaya area of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Local authorities report that search and rescue operations are ongoing, with victims being pulled from the debris, and the final death toll remains uncertain.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, but an exact number of casualties was not confirmed until Friday. A spokesperson for the governor appointed by rebel groups in the region confirmed the deaths of over 200 individuals and stated that at least 20 injured people are receiving medical care.
According to the local official, the victims include miners, women, and children. Some individuals were rescued from under the rubble at the last moments but suffered severe injuries, with some in critical condition.
The Rubaya mine is located approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Several bodies have been retrieved from the site, and efforts continue to locate missing persons.
Rubaya is one of the world’s most important coltan mining centers, supplying about 15 percent of the global supply of this mineral. Coltan is used to produce tantalum, a heat-resistant metal essential in manufacturing mobile phones, computers, aerospace equipment, and gas turbines.
Local residents state that coltan extraction in the area is carried out traditionally with rudimentary tools, and workers receive only minimal wages despite facing serious hazards. Since 2024, the region has been under the control of the rebel group AFC/M23, a situation that has heightened concerns about worker safety and the lack of effective oversight.
