Rubaya: More than 200 individuals have lost their lives in a tragic mine collapse in the town of Rubaya, located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The devastating incident occurred on Wednesday due to heavy rains, as reported by Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, the spokesperson for the North Kivu region's rebel governor. At the time, the exact number of casualties had not been determined.
According to BBC, women and children were among those present at the mine, extracting coltan—a mineral crucial for manufacturing electronics such as smartphones and computers—when the collapse happened. A former supervisor of the mine revealed that inadequate maintenance of the site increased the likelihood of accidents, complicating rescue operations when disasters occur. The unstable soil conditions further exacerbated the situation.
The Congolese authorities have attributed the tragedy to the rebels, accusing them of endangering civilian lives by permitting illegal mining activities without implementing necessary safety protocols. The authorities stated that they had prohibited mining in the area last year, although the rebels had already taken control of the mines by that time.
This incident is part of a pattern of numerous mine collapses in DR Congo, including in regions governed by the official administration. The collapse claimed the lives of women, children, and artisanal miners—those not formally employed by a mining company. Approximately 20 survivors are currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.
A source who lost a cousin in the landslide expressed profound shock and described the incident as a significant loss for both family and community. The source recounted disbelief at the news, hoping his cousin could be found alive as investigations were ongoing. Sadly, the body was discovered hours later.
Governor Erasto Bahati Musanga, appointed by M23 rebels after their territorial gains in North Kivu, visited the survivors on Friday. Rubaya is among several towns in North Kivu under M23 control, a group that international observers claim is backed by Rwanda. Rwanda has consistently denied providing military support to M23.
Following the collapse, the Congolese government reiterated accusations against Rwanda, alleging that M23 was being used to exploit Congolese minerals illegally. The government described the mining activities under armed occupation as part of a systematic looting and illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Though Rwanda denies these allegations, UN experts have found evidence suggesting that minerals from DR Congo are being exported through Rwanda. The mines in Rubaya account for about 15% of the world's coltan supply and half of DR Congo's total deposits. The metallic ore is essential for producing high-performance capacitors used in various electronic devices, leading to high global demand.
A BBC team visiting the site in July 2025 observed miners manually extracting the valuable mineral under hazardous conditions, with dangerous pits scattered across the expansive site. Since 2024, the M23 rebels have controlled the mines, and the UN has accused them of imposing taxes on the mining sector for their own benefit.