Tragedy at Coltan Mine in Congo Claims Over 200 Lives

A catastrophic collapse at a coltan mine in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has killed more than 200 people, officials confirmed. The incident occurred on Wednesday in Rubaya Province, a region that produces approximately 15% of the world’s coltan and has been under the control of rebel groups since 2024.

According to Lubumba Kambere Muisa, spokesperson for the governor appointed by the rebel administration, the mine collapse struck while miners and local workers, including children and market women, were laboring by hand for a few dollars a day. Some workers were rescued in time, but many sustained serious injuries. By Friday evening, the exact death toll remained uncertain, though a government advisor reported that at least 227 people had perished and around 20 were receiving treatment for injuries. Heavy rainfall weakened the ground, causing the sudden collapse, officials said.

Importance of Coltan

Coltan is a key mineral used to produce tantalum, a heat-resistant metal crucial for manufacturing mobile phones, computers, aerospace components, and gas turbines. The region’s high demand for coltan has drawn thousands of local laborers, who often work in dangerous conditions.

Rebel-Controlled Area

Since 2024, the coltan mines in Rubaya have been under the control of the rebel group AFC/M23. The United Nations has reported that the group has exploited the province’s mineral wealth to fund its armed campaign against the central government in Kinshasa. Analysts note that heavily armed rebels have expanded their control over additional territories in eastern Congo over the past year, allegedly with backing from the neighboring Rwanda government—a claim rejected by Kigali.

The Rubaya mine disaster highlights the severe human cost of artisanal mining in conflict zones, where poor safety conditions and ongoing violence leave workers extremely vulnerable.