Tragic Collapse in Eastern Congo
GOMA, Congo – A catastrophic landslide at a major coltan mining site in eastern Congo has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 200 individuals, according to reports from rebel authorities. This incident occurred earlier this week at the Rubaya mines, which are under the control of M23 rebels. Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, the spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu province, confirmed the event and cited heavy rains as the cause of the landslide.
“For now, there are more than 200 dead, some of whom are still in the mud and have not yet been recovered,” said Muyisa. In addition to the fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were transported to local health facilities in Rubaya. Emergency ambulances are expected to transfer the injured to Goma, the nearest city located about 30 miles from the site.
Response and Current Situation
In light of the disaster, the rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu has implemented a temporary suspension of artisanal mining at the site. He also ordered the evacuation of residents living in makeshift shelters near the mines to prevent further casualties. The Congolese government, through a statement on social media platform X, expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and attributed the unsafe mining practices to the rebels’ illegal activities in the region.
A former miner at the Rubaya site reported that several landslides have occurred in the past due to the unsafe conditions created by hand-dug tunnels, which are often poorly constructed and maintained. “People dig everywhere, without control or safety measures. In a single pit, there can be as many as 500 miners. One collapse can affect many pits at once,” said Clovis Mafare, highlighting the perilous nature of mining operations in the region.
Background on Rubaya Mines
Rubaya is situated in eastern Congo, a mineral-rich area that has been marred by decades of violence involving government forces and multiple armed groups, including the M23, which has recently intensified its activities. This resurgence exacerbates an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country, where over seven million people have been displaced due to conflict, including more than 300,000 fleeing their homes since December.
Congo plays a significant role in the global coltan market, having produced about 40 percent of the world’s coltan in 2023. This black metallic ore is essential for manufacturing smartphones, computers, and aircraft engines. Notably, over 15% of the world’s tantalum supply, derived from coltan, comes from the mines in Rubaya.
Since seizing control of Rubaya in May 2024, the M23 rebels have imposed taxes on the trade and transport of coltan, reportedly generating at least $800,000 monthly. Despite ongoing negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution between the Congolese and Rwandan governments, fighting continues in several regions of eastern Congo, resulting in numerous casualties among civilians and military personnel alike. The situation remains dire, and further conflicts threaten to deepen the existing humanitarian crisis.
This incident underscores the urgent need for better safety measures and regulations in artisanal mining operations. The local population continues to bear the brunt of conflict and exploitation, raising critical questions about resource management and the safeguarding of lives in one of the world’s richest yet most troubled regions. Some details are limited in the source, so this summary focuses on what is confirmed.
Original source: Open the source
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