200+ Killed in Coltan Mine Collapse in Eastern DRC

200+ Killed in Coltan Mine Collapse

Miners work at the entrance of a shaft at the SMB coltan mine near Rubaya in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A tragic collapse at this mine resulted in over 200 deaths, including miners, children, and market women. The Rubaya mine produces about 15% of the world’s coltan, which is processed into tantalum used in mobile phones, computers, aerospace components, and gas turbines. The site has been under M23 rebel control since 2024.

The collapse occurred on Wednesday, with some survivors suffering serious injuries. The UN accuses M23 of plundering Rubaya’s riches to fund their insurgency, supported by Rwanda’s government, which denies these claims. M23 aims to overthrow the Kinshasa government and protect Congolese Tutsi minorities.