Over 100 Killed in Landslide at Coltan Mine in DR Congo Controlled by M23 Rebels

Over 100 people were killed in a landslide at the Rubaya coltan mining site in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following heavy rains. Most victims were artisanal miners, along with food vendors and small traders. The site, controlled by the M23 rebel group, has seen recurring deadly accidents, including a January landslide that killed over 400 people. Rescue efforts continue under difficult conditions, and clashes in the region have displaced thousands.

Over 100 people have been killed in a devastating landslide at a coltan mining site in the Rubaya area of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local media reported on Wednesday. The tragic event occurred on Tuesday following days of heavy rainfall that destabilized the mining area. Witnesses described how a mining shaft slowly began to collapse before giving way, burying numerous miners, food vendors, and other small-scale traders within seconds. Rescue operations are currently underway, but workers face extremely difficult conditions and are relying on rudimentary tools to locate and recover those trapped beneath the rubble.
The victims were primarily artisanal miners, who often work in precarious conditions with little to no safety equipment. Local reports highlighted that there are no engineers or safety officials on-site to assess the stability of the terrain or to warn workers about potential hazards, leaving miners extremely vulnerable to accidents. The lack of oversight and protective measures has long been a concern in these mining communities, which operate largely informally and under high-risk conditions.
This incident comes barely a month after another disaster struck the same site in January, when a landslide killed over 400 people. The January tragedy had drawn widespread attention to the unsafe working conditions in Rubaya, but despite the previous catastrophe, the area continues to be exploited without adequate safety protocols or regulatory enforcement.
The Rubaya mining area is known for its rich deposits of minerals such as coltan, cassiterite, gold, and tourmaline, making it a valuable location for mining operations. However, since 2024, the site has been under the control of the M23 rebel group, a rebel organization that has seized control of significant portions of North Kivu. The presence of the rebel group has complicated efforts to regulate mining activities and protect workers, as the government has limited authority in the area.
Following last month’s deadly landslide, the government denounced the continued illegal exploitation of minerals by the rebels, emphasizing that the lack of oversight and unlawful operations contribute directly to these recurring tragedies. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Angola, which was declared effective on February 18, clashes in North Kivu have intensified, further destabilizing the region and displacing thousands of residents from their homes.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the latest landslide, and it remains unclear how many people are still missing. Families of miners are grappling with uncertainty and fear as search and rescue efforts continue. Humanitarian organizations and local officials have called for increased safety measures, proper regulation of mining activities, and international attention to the ongoing dangers faced by workers in these mineral-rich but conflict-prone areas.
The recurring disasters at Rubaya highlight the intersection of environmental hazards, poor safety standards, and armed conflict, creating one of the deadliest working environments for artisanal miners in the world. The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated intervention to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that mining activities in the region are carried out safely and responsibly.