A shaft collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least six people on Tuesday, according to local witnesses. The incident occurred at the Gasasa quarry area of the site, which is under the control of the M23 rebel movement.
Witnesses reported that the bodies of three women and three men were recovered from the mine, located approximately 70 kilometres west of Goma. Several other individuals sustained serious injuries in the collapse. Relatives subsequently gathered at the mine seeking information about missing family members.
This tragedy marks the second fatal incident at Rubaya in recent weeks. In late January, a massive landslide following heavy rainfall killed at least 200 people at the same site. The Rubaya mine is a major hub for artisanal mining, where thousands of workers operate in hazardous conditions using basic tools like shovels and minimal safety equipment.
The mine’s economic significance is substantial, accounting for an estimated 15 to 30 percent of global coltan production. Coltan, a mineral essential for manufacturing capacitors used in smartphones and other electronics, is often classified as a conflict resource. Since April 2024, the M23 rebels have administered the area, imposing a tax of $7 per kilogramme on coltan production and sales. This levy generates approximately $800,000 monthly for the group, according to available reports.
M23, a Rwanda-backed movement, has seized large territories in eastern DR Congo since its resurgence in 2021. The region has suffered from decades of conflict fuelled by competition over vast natural resources. Clashes in the Rubaya vicinity have intensified recently, including a drone strike on 24 February that killed M23’s military spokesman, Willy Ngoma.
The recurring disasters at Rubaya underscore the extreme risks faced by artisanal miners in a zone contested by armed groups. The site’s output remains integrated into global supply chains despite its conflict-linked operation. The collapse on Tuesday adds to the humanitarian toll in a region where mining accidents and armed violence frequently intersect. International attention on the sourcing of minerals from eastern DR Congo continues, highlighting the need for improved safety standards and accountability within the conflict-ridden sector.
