Landslide at Congo Coltan Mine Kills Over 200, Highlighting Rebel Control and Dangerous Conditions
GOMA, Congo (AP) — A landslide at a major coltan mining site in eastern Congo has left at least 200 miners dead, rebel authorities said Saturday, exposing the perilous conditions endured by those working in the region and raising concerns about the illicit exploitation of resources fueling ongoing conflict.
The collapse occurred Wednesday at the Rubaya mines, a key source of coltan – a vital component in smartphones, computers and aircraft engines – currently under the control of the M23 rebel group. Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, a spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of North-Kivu province, attributed the disaster to heavy rains.
“For now, there are more than 200 dead, some of whom are still in the mud and have not yet been recovered,” Muyisa told The Associated Press. He added that numerous others were injured and transported to local health facilities, with plans for further evacuation to Goma, the nearest city some 30 miles away.
The disaster underscores the dangers faced by artisanal miners in eastern Congo, where tunnels are often dug by hand with little to no safety measures. Clovis Mafare, a former miner at Rubaya, described a chaotic and unregulated environment.
“People dig everywhere, without control or safety measures. In a single pit, there can be as many as 500 miners, and because the tunnels run parallel, one collapse can affect many pits at once,” Mafare said.
The Congolese government issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and accusing the M23 rebels of illegally and unsafely exploiting the region’s natural resources. The statement highlights the complex interplay between resource extraction, armed conflict, and humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.
Rubaya lies at the heart of a mineral-rich region that has been ravaged by decades of violence involving government forces and various armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23. The recent resurgence of the M23 has exacerbated the conflict and worsened an already dire humanitarian situation.
Congo is a leading global supplier of coltan, producing approximately 40% of the world’s supply in 2023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Rubaya’s mines alone account for over 15% of global tantalum supply. This makes the region strategically important, attracting both legitimate businesses and armed groups seeking to profit from the trade.
Since seizing control of Rubaya in May 2024, the M23 rebels have imposed taxes on coltan trade and transport, generating an estimated $800,000 per month, according to a recent U.N. report. This revenue stream directly funds the rebel group’s operations and prolongs the conflict.
The disaster comes amidst a broader humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where over 7 million people are displaced, including more than 300,000 who have fled their homes since December. The ongoing violence and instability have created one of the world’s largest displacement crises.
Efforts to resolve the conflict have been ongoing, including a deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments brokered by the U.S. and negotiations between rebels and Congo. However, fighting continues on multiple fronts, resulting in civilian and military casualties. The agreement between Congo and Rwanda also aims to facilitate access to critical minerals for the U.S. government and American companies.
The Rubaya landslide serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict minerals and the urgent need for greater regulation and oversight of the mining industry in eastern Congo. The international community faces a growing challenge in balancing the demand for these essential resources with the need to protect vulnerable populations and promote sustainable development in the region.
[Image of coltan miners in Rubaya, Congo, May 2025. Credit: Moses Sawasawa/AP]
