More than 200 dead after landslide at Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Congo
At least 200 people have been killed in a devastating landslide at an artisanal coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The tragedy highlights the deadly risks in the region’s largely unregulated mining sector.
Key Details of the Tragedy
The landslide struck the Rubaya mine in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province on Friday, according to local administrator Nicolas Kadjia.
“We have more than 200 fellow citizens who were in the coltan quarry and who were surprised by a landslide,” Kadjia told Reuters.
Rescue operations are ongoing as teams search for bodies in the wreckage.
Context of Congo’s Mining Sector
Coltan is a crucial mineral used in the production of smartphones and other electronic devices. Eastern Congo is mineral-rich, but the sector is plagued by persistent challenges:
- Insecurity from numerous armed groups.
- Weak governance and lack of proper regulation.
- A history of frequent, deadly accidents in artisanal mines.
This is not an isolated incident. Earlier in 2024, at least 17 people died in a similar landslide at a gold mine in the same province, underscoring a pattern of danger.
