More than 200 people have died after a coltan mine collapsed in eastern DR Congo, according to authorities appointed by rebel leaders in North Kivu province.
The collapse happened Wednesday in the town of Rubaya after heavy rainfall weakened the site, Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the region’s rebel governor, told reporters. Rescue operations continued as officials worked to confirm the final death toll.
Local officials said many of those killed were women, children, and artisanal miners working informally at the site. Around 20 survivors were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, according to local health workers.
A former mine supervisor told the BBC the site lacked proper safety standards, making accidents more likely and rescue efforts difficult once the collapse occurred. He added that the fragile soil in the area worsened the damage.
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One relative of a victim described the loss as devastating for the community. Speaking to the BBC on condition of anonymity, the source said his cousin had been working at the mine to support his wife and two children.
“I didn’t believe he could die in such circumstances,” the relative said, explaining that hope remained until the body was found hours later.
North Kivu governor Erasto Bahati Musanga, installed by M23 rebels after the group seized large parts of the province, visited injured survivors on Friday, according to local officials.
Rubaya is among several towns in North Kivu under M23 control. United Nations experts and international observers say the group receives backing from neighboring Rwanda, a claim Rwanda has denied.
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The mines around Rubaya hold an estimated 15 percent of the world’s coltan supply and about half of Congo’s total reserves. Coltan contains tantalum, a key component used in high performance capacitors for smartphones, computers, and other electronics.
Since 2024, the mines have been controlled by M23 rebels. The United Nations has accused the group of taxing mining operations to finance its activities, raising ongoing concerns about safety, labor conditions, and conflict linked mineral supply chains.
