More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in eastern DRC, officials say
A tragic coltan mine collapse in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly killed over 200 people, according to local officials. The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Rubaya mine in North Kivu province, amid ongoing conflict and rainy season instability.
The collapse, described as a landslide due to fragile, rain-soaked ground, buried miners, children, and market women working or nearby at the artisanal site. Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the M23 rebel-appointed governor, confirmed more than 200 deaths, with around 20 injured receiving treatment; an anonymous advisor cited at least 227 confirmed fatalities. Rescue efforts continue, as some victims remain trapped in shafts, per local miner accounts.
Rubaya lies about 60 km northwest of Goma, producing roughly 15% of global coltan—a mineral refined into tantalum for smartphones, computers, and aerospace tech. The area has been M23 rebel-controlled since 2024; the UN accuses the Rwanda-backed group of exploiting these resources to fund its insurgency against the DRC government, a claim Kigali denies. Artisanal mining persists despite dangers, as over 70% of Congolese live below $2.15 daily.
