Goma (Congo): At least 200 people were killed earlier this week after a massive landslide buried several artisanal mines at a major coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities appointed by rebel groups said on Saturday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Rubaya mining area in North Kivu province, which is currently under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed provincial governor, said heavy rainfall triggered the collapse.
“More than 200 people have lost their lives so far. Some bodies remain trapped under the mud and have not yet been recovered,” Muyisa said. He added that many others were injured and taken to three health facilities in Rubaya, while arrangements were underway to transfer critically wounded victims to Goma, the nearest major city, located about 50 kilometres away.
Following the disaster, the rebel administration ordered a temporary suspension of artisanal mining activities at the site. Authorities have also instructed residents who had constructed makeshift shelters near the mines to relocate, citing safety concerns.
Rubaya lies in one of Congo’s most mineral-rich but conflict-ridden regions. Eastern Congo has witnessed decades of violence involving government forces and multiple armed groups, with the resurgence of M23 in recent years significantly intensifying insecurity and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
The Rubaya region is globally significant for its mineral output, supplying more than 15 per cent of the world’s tantalum — a rare metal derived from coltan and widely used in smartphones, computers and aircraft engines. The M23 rebels captured the town in May 2024 and have since controlled its mining operations.
According to a United Nations report, the group has imposed taxes on the extraction and transport of coltan since taking over Rubaya, earning an estimated $800,000 per month from the trade.
Eastern Congo continues to grapple with chronic instability, with ongoing clashes displacing more than 7 million people. Despite a US-brokered agreement between the Congolese and Rwandan governments and parallel talks involving rebel groups, fighting persists across several fronts, regularly resulting in civilian casualties.
The broader geopolitical implications of the conflict remain significant, as the Congo-Rwanda deal also facilitates access to critical minerals for the United States and American companies.
