More than 200 people have been confirmed dead after heavy rains triggered deadly landslides at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a site currently controlled by the M23 rebel group.
The tragedy occurred earlier this week when torrential rainfall caused mine pits and surrounding ground to collapse, sweeping away miners and nearby residents, including children and market women.
Survivors described scenes of chaos as people were buried alive in wells and shelters, with many still feared trapped under the rubble. Local authorities said at least 20 injured victims are receiving treatment, while others are being transferred to hospitals in Goma, about 50 kilometres away, as rescue efforts continue and the death toll is expected to rise.
In response, the rebel-appointed provincial administration ordered a temporary halt to artisanal mining at the site and the relocation of residents living close to the mine.
Rubaya is one of the world’s most important sources of coltan, producing about 15 per cent of global supply used in smartphones, computers and aircraft engines, and the United Nations has previously accused the M23 group of exploiting the mine’s resources to finance its insurgency.
The disaster highlights the deadly mix of unsafe mining practices, extreme weather and long-running conflict that continues to devastate mineral-rich eastern DR Congo.
