Buried for Coltan: Over 200 Feared Dead in Deadly Congo Mine Disaster Under Rebel Control

A devastating landslide has ripped through a militia-controlled mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving at least 200 people feared dead and exposing once again the deadly cost of conflict-driven mining. The disaster struck the Rubaya coltan mine in North Kivu, a site that fuels global electronics but costs local miners their lives.

The Congolese government confirmed on Sunday that the collapse was massive. Officials said a large section of a hillside gave way, burying hundreds of artisanal miners who were working deep in unstable pits. Another landslide followed a day later, making rescue efforts even harder.

Thousands of miners work daily at Rubaya. Most use simple tools. Many wear only rubber boots. However, the steep slopes and muddy ravines make the site extremely dangerous, especially during the rainy season. As a result, the ground can collapse without warning.

Meanwhile, communication from the area remains limited. Phone networks are down. Local authorities and civil groups fled when M23 rebels seized the mine. Therefore, information now travels slowly by motorbike couriers. Even so, officials and humanitarian workers agree the death toll is already very high.

The M23 group captured Rubaya in April 2024 with support from Rwanda, according to United Nations experts. Since then, the militia has run the mine through its own parallel administration. As a result, it earns nearly $800,000 every month by taxing coltan production. Rwanda denies backing the rebels, but UN reports say the minerals are sent almost entirely across the border.

Coltan is critical for phones, laptops, and other electronics. However, behind these devices is a brutal supply chain. At Rubaya, miners dig in deep pits that often lack support. When rain falls, the soil shifts. Then tragedy follows.

Following the disaster, injured survivors were rushed to small health centers. Yet those facilities have few supplies. Doctors struggle to treat crushed limbs and broken bones.

The Congolese government has blamed the tragedy on armed occupation and illegal mining. Although mining was officially banned in the area in February 2025, large shipments continue to leave every month.

Now, Kinshasa is calling on the world to act. It wants stronger pressure on Rwanda and tougher enforcement of mineral trade rules. Ultimately, the government says, no phone or computer should come at the price of human lives.