More than 200 killed in mine collapse in DR Congo

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 31, 2026 at 02:18 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

More than 200 people died in a mine collapse on Wednesday in Rubaya, Democratic Republic of Congo. The mine, which is under rebel control in the North Kivu region, collapsed due to heavy rains. Victims included women, children, and artisanal miners who were mining coltan, a mineral used in electronics manufacturing. A former supervisor stated the mine was poorly maintained, contributing to the accident and hindering rescue efforts. The M23 rebels have controlled the mines since 2024 and are accused of taxing mining operations. Rubaya holds a significant portion of the world's coltan supply, making it a valuable but dangerous mining location.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

BBC ×330% UN 35% Rwanda 40% Erasto Bahati Musanga 50% Lumumba Kambere Muyisa 60% M23 ×475% Rubaya ×380% North Kivu ×385% Democratic Republic of Congo ×290%

Keywords

mine collapse 100% dr congo 90% mining accident 80% coltan 70% m23 rebels 60% artisanal miners 60% poorly maintained mine 50% north kivu 50% heavy rains 40%