GOMA, Congo (BN24) — A coltan mine collapse in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has left at least 12 miners dead, with dozens more managing to escape, officials said Friday, as dangerous working conditions and rebel control continue to plague one of the world’s most crucial sources of tech minerals.
The collapse occurred Thursday at an artisanal mining site near Rubaya, a remote town in North Kivu province. The cause of the disaster remains unclear, but collapses at informal mining sites are common in Congo due to unstable shafts and lack of safety protocols.
“We have confirmed 12 fatalities,” a local mining official told reporters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. A civil society leader in the region confirmed the death toll and said that additional miners had narrowly escaped when the ground gave way.
Rubaya’s mines are among the world’s most significant producers of coltan, a metallic ore used in the manufacture of smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices. Artisanal mining in the area accounts for roughly one-sixth of global coltan supply, making the region a vital link in the international tech supply chain.
The mine sits within territory held by the M23 rebel group, which has controlled parts of North Kivu since mid-2024. Rebel officials told Reuters earlier this year that they impose a 15% tax on coltan production in the region, further complicating international efforts to regulate Congo’s mining sector and trace minerals free from conflict financing.
As mining deaths mount across the country, rights groups and observers have urged Congo’s government and international stakeholders to prioritize safety reforms and limit exploitation in conflict zones. However, rebel control and weak oversight have rendered many artisanal sites inaccessible to regulators and humanitarian organizations.
The latest tragedy underscores the perils faced daily by Congolese miners working in some of the world’s most dangerous and unregulated conditions — all while powering the devices millions use around the globe.
