At least 200 artisanal miners perished this week in a series of coltan mine collapses in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking one of the deadliest mining accidents in recent African history. The March 23 Movement rebel group, which has controlled the mineral-rich area since April 2024, confirmed the catastrophic failures occurred across multiple shafts between January 28-29.
Local sources report women and children were among the victims trapped in the unstable artisanal mines that form the backbone of Rubaya's informal economy. The region produces 30% of global coltan – a crucial component in smartphones and electric vehicles – yet safety regulations remain virtually nonexistent in rebel-held territories.
This tragedy highlights the human cost of Africa's mineral wealth extraction. While international tech companies increasingly demand conflict-free minerals, artisanal miners continue working in perilous conditions. Humanitarian organizations call for urgent action to address both safety standards and the political instability enabling these dangerous practices.
