A devastating landslide at a major coltan mining operation in eastern Congo has resulted in one of the deadliest mining disasters in recent African history. Rebel authorities confirmed Saturday that at least 200 miners perished when torrential rains triggered catastrophic ground failures at the Rubaya mines on Wednesday.
The M23 rebel group, which controls the mineral-rich territory in North Kivu province, reported through spokesperson Lumumba Kambere Muyisa that recovery efforts remain ongoing with numerous victims still trapped beneath mud and debris. Emergency responders have transported injured survivors to three local medical facilities in Rubaya, with plans to evacuate critical patients to Goma’s better-equipped hospitals approximately 50 kilometers away.
In response to the tragedy, the rebel-appointed provincial governor has implemented an immediate suspension of all artisanal mining activities at the site and ordered the relocation of residential structures erected near the dangerous mining zones.
This disaster strikes at the heart of Congo’s protracted humanitarian crisis, where the Rubaya region supplies over 15% of global tantalum—a rare metal essential for manufacturing smartphones, computers, and aircraft engines. The M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have controlled these strategically vital mines since May 2024, imposing taxation systems that generate an estimated $800,000 monthly from coltan trade.
Eastern Congo continues to endure one of the world’s most severe displacement emergencies, with recent conflicts forcing 100,000 people from their homes this year alone amid ongoing violence that persists despite diplomatic interventions between Congolese and Rwandan governments.