At least 200 artisanal miners, including women and children, were killed this week after multiple collapses at coltan mines in Rubaya, a rebel-held area of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The March 23 Movement (M23), which controls the region since April 2024, confirmed the disaster on Friday, calling it one of the deadliest mining accidents in recent history.
The collapses occurred on Wednesday and Thursday across several informal shafts, burying workers under unstable terrain. Coltan, a critical mineral used in smartphones and electric vehicles, is mined extensively in the region. The United Nations estimates Rubaya contributes 15% of global tantalum supply, raising concerns about potential disruptions to electronics manufacturing chains.
Local sources describe chaotic rescue efforts hampered by limited infrastructure and ongoing security challenges. The tragedy highlights persistent risks in artisanal mining communities, where safety regulations are often unenforced in conflict zones. Analysts warn the disaster could exacerbate instability in the mineral-rich region, which has faced decades of armed group activity.
