News|MiningMore than 200 killed in mine collapse in eastern DR Congo: ReportRights groups raised concerns over conditions at the mine, which supplies about 15 percent of the world’s coltan used in advanced electronics.

Over 200 individuals have been reported deceased following a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This incident was confirmed by Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the governor of North Kivu province, where the mine is situated.

The mine, located approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, experienced a collapse on Wednesday. As of Friday evening, the exact number of casualties remains undetermined.

Reports indicate that the landslide affected miners, children, and market women. Approximately 20 individuals with serious injuries are receiving medical treatment. The collapse occurred during the rainy season, contributing to unstable ground conditions.

Eraston Bahati Musanga, the governor of North Kivu province, confirmed that some bodies have been recovered. However, the precise number of fatalities and injuries has not been officially disclosed.

According to eyewitness accounts, individuals are still believed to be trapped within the mine. The landslide resulted from heavy rains, which caused parts of the mine to give way.

Rubaya mine contributes around 15 percent of the global supply of coltan, a mineral refined into tantalum, essential for producing electronic devices and aerospace components. The mine has been under the control of the M23 rebel group since 2024, following shifts in control between the DRC government and various rebel factions.

The M23 group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, has been accused of exploiting the mine's resources to fund its activities. The government of Rwanda denies these allegations. Despite the DRC's vast mineral resources, a significant portion of its population lives below the poverty line.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.