More than 200 people died in a coltan mine collapse in eastern Congo, with the site controlled by the M23 rebel group amid heavy seasonal rains.
GOMA: More than 200 people were killed this week in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lubumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed provincial governor, confirmed the death toll to Reuters on Friday.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday with the precise toll still unclear by Friday evening.
“More than 200 people were victims of this landslide, including miners, children and market women,” Muyisa said.
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He added that some people were rescued just in time and have serious injuries, with about 20 injured being treated in health facilities.
“We are in the rainy season. The ground is fragile. It was the ground that gave way while the victims were in the hole.”
An adviser to the governor said the number of confirmed dead was at least 227.
The adviser spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media.
Rubaya produces around 15% of the world’s coltan, which is processed into tantalum.
The heat-resistant metal is in high demand by makers of mobile phones, computers, aerospace components and gas turbines.
The site, where locals dig manually for a few dollars per day, has been under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group since 2024.
The United Nations says AFC/M23 has plundered Rubaya’s riches to help fund its insurgency.
The UN alleges the group is backed by the government of neighbouring Rwanda, an allegation Kigali denies.
The heavily-armed rebels’ stated aim is to overthrow the government in Kinshasa and ensure the safety of the Congolese Tutsi minority.
They captured even more mineral-rich territory in eastern Congo during a lightning advance last year. – Reuters
