More than 200 people were killed this week when a coltan mine collapsed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rubaya mine produces about 15% of the world’s coltan, a metal vital for electronics industries like mobile phones and computers. Since 2024, the site has been under control of the AFC/M23 rebel group.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday and the official death toll was still unclear as of Friday evening. Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor in the province where Rubaya is located, told Reuters that more than 200 people were killed, including miners, children, and market women. Some victims who managed to escape had serious injuries.
The adviser to the governor stated at least 227 confirmed deaths while speaking on condition of anonymity due to unauthorized media briefings. The mine’s collapse happened during a rainy season when the ground was particularly fragile, leading to the landslide.
UN officials allege that AFC/M23 has been plundering Rubaya for funds to support its insurgency, backed by Rwanda. However, Kigali denies this claim. The rebels recently captured additional mineral-rich areas in eastern Congo as part of their rapid offensive last year aimed at overthrowing Congolese government and protecting the Tutsi minority.