Landslide in Democratic Republic of the Congo Causes Mine Collapse, Leaving at Least 200 Dead

Congo Mine Collapse. Reuters Yonhap News

At least 200 people have died in a landslide that occurred in the mining region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Africa.

On January 31 (local time), the Associated Press, citing a representative of the M23 rebel group in the DRC, reported that heavy rains on January 28 triggered a landslide in the eastern Rubaya mining area, causing the collapse of several major coltan mines.

According to the rebels, more than 200 people were killed and many others injured in the accident, with some of the deceased still buried in the mud. The rebels have temporarily suspended mining operations and ordered the evacuation of nearby residents.

Rubaya is a major mining area that produces more than 1,000 tons of coltan annually, and coltan from Rubaya accounts for 15% of the global coltan supply. The M23 rebel group occupied the village in May 2024 and has been imposing taxes on coltan trade and transportation since then.