More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in eastern DRC, officials say [View all]
Source: The Guardian
More than 200 people were killed this week in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, a spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of the province where the mine is located, told Reuters on Friday.
Rubaya produces about 15% of the worlds coltan, which is processed into tantalum a heat-resistant metal that is in high demand by makers of mobile phones, computers, aerospace components and gas turbines. The site, where local people dig manually for a few dollars a day, has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since 2024.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday and the precise toll was still unclear as of Friday evening.
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An adviser to the governor said the number of confirmed dead was at least 227. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/30/more-than-200-killed-in-coltan-mine-collapse-in-eastern-drc-officials-say