Mine collapses in eastern Congo, leaving at least 200 dead

GOMA, Congo – A catastrophic landslide at a major coltan mining site in the volatile eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has left at least 200 people dead, with many more feared trapped. The disaster, which occurred in a territory controlled by M23 rebels, highlights the perilous conditions of artisanal mining and the violent, high-stakes struggle over resources vital to the global technology supply chain.

The collapse took place on Wednesday at the Rubaya mines following heavy rains, but details only emerged Saturday from rebel authorities who now control the area. The incident underscores the deadly intersection of conflict, unregulated resource extraction, and extreme weather in a region already besieged by a severe humanitarian crisis.

Catastrophe in Rubaya

The landslide buried several mine shafts at the sprawling Rubaya site, a globally significant source of coltan. Rebel authorities have launched recovery efforts, but the scale of the disaster is immense.

Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, a spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of North-Kivu province, confirmed the death toll and the challenging conditions.

• The Incident: Heavy rains on Wednesday triggered a massive landslide, causing the collapse of multiple artisanal mining pits.
• The Toll: "For now, there are more than 200 dead, some of whom are still in the mud and have not yet been recovered," Muyisa stated. Dozens of others were injured and transported to local health clinics, with more seriously wounded individuals awaiting transfer to the city of Goma.
• Immediate Response: The rebel administration has ordered a temporary halt to all artisanal mining at the site and mandated the relocation of residents from makeshift shelters built near the unstable mining pits.

A Nexus of Conflict and Commerce

The tragedy occurred in a strategic area captured by the M23 rebel group in May 2024. The Congolese government in Kinshasa immediately condemned the situation, accusing the rebels of facilitating a deadly and illegal free-for-all.

In a statement, the government expressed solidarity with the victims' families while accusing M23 of "criminal and illegal exploitation" of the region's natural resources in unsafe conditions.

• Rebel Control: The M23 rebel group, which a U.N. report identifies as being backed by neighboring Rwanda, seized control of the strategic town of Rubaya and its valuable mines earlier this year, tightening its grip on the region's mineral wealth.
• A Lucrative Enterprise: Since taking over, the rebels have reportedly generated substantial revenue. The U.N. estimates M23 has been earning at least $800,000 per month by imposing taxes on the trade and transport of coltan from Rubaya.

Rubaya's Critical Role in Global Tech

The disaster puts a spotlight on the source of materials essential for modern life. Coltan, a black metallic ore, is the primary source of tantalum, a rare metal with a high resistance to heat and corrosion, making it a critical component in the manufacturing of consumer and industrial electronics.

The mines at Rubaya are not a minor operation; they are a linchpin of the global tantalum supply.

• Congo's Dominance: The Democratic Republic of Congo was responsible for approximately 40% of the world's coltan production in 2023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Rubaya's Share: The mines in the Rubaya area alone contribute over 15% of the global supply of tantalum, a mineral indispensable for producing smartphones, laptops, and advanced aircraft engines.
• Market Players: While other nations like Australia, Canada, and Brazil are significant suppliers, Congo's market share and the concentration of supply in conflict zones like Rubaya create inherent volatility in the supply chain.

The Human Cost of "Artisanal" Mining

The term "artisanal mining" belies the brutal and hazardous reality for those who work the pits. A former miner at the Rubaya site, Clovis Mafare, described a system devoid of safety and engineering standards, where repeated landslides are a known and accepted risk.

"People dig everywhere, without control or safety measures," Mafare told The Associated Press. This unregulated environment creates a recipe for disaster.

• Unsafe Practices: Tunnels are dug by hand, often without structural supports or proper maintenance, leaving them highly susceptible to collapse, especially during the rainy season.
• High Miner Density: According to Mafare, a single mining pit can contain as many as 500 miners at one time, dramatically increasing the potential for mass casualties in a single incident.
• The Domino Effect: Miners often dig parallel tunnels close to one another. "One collapse can affect many pits at once," Mafare explained, illustrating how a localized failure can rapidly escalate into a large-scale catastrophe.

A Deepening Humanitarian and Diplomatic Crisis

This mining disaster is a symptom of a much larger, decades-long crisis in eastern Congo. The region has been torn apart by violence involving numerous armed groups, including M23, and government forces, creating one of the world's most acute and complex humanitarian emergencies.

• Humanitarian Toll: The persistent conflict has displaced more than 7 million people. Since December alone, fighting has forced over 300,000 to flee their homes, compounding the crisis.
• Diplomatic Overtures: International efforts to broker peace are ongoing. A deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments, brokered by the United States, aims to de-escalate tensions. However, fighting continues on multiple fronts, claiming civilian and military lives.
• The Mineral Connection: The U.S.-brokered deal notably includes provisions that open up access to Congo's vast reserves of critical minerals for the U.S. government and American companies, highlighting the deep connection between geopolitical diplomacy and the region's resource wealth.

What's Next

In the immediate term, recovery operations will continue under the shadow of rebel control, with the true death toll likely to climb. The rebel-imposed halt on mining, while a necessary safety measure, will disrupt the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the mines.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost embedded in the supply chains of global technology. For international corporations and governments, it raises urgent questions about the ethics and stability of sourcing critical minerals from conflict zones. For the people of eastern Congo, it is yet another devastating chapter in a cycle of exploitation and violence that continues with no clear end in sight.