Khaberni - At least 200 people were killed following a landslide that led to the destruction of several mines at a major coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to local authorities linked to the rebels.
Lumumba Kampire Moiza, the spokesperson for the governor appointed by M23 rebels in North Kivu, stated that the landslide occurred on Wednesday at the Rubaya mines controlled by the movement, indicating that heavy rainfall was the direct cause of the disaster.
Moiza added: "So far, there are more than 200 dead, some of them still trapped under the mud and not yet recovered." He explained that a number of injured were taken to three health facilities in the town of Rubaya, while it was planned to transfer the wounded on Saturday to Goma, the nearest major city about 50 kilometers (30 miles) away.
He noted that the governor appointed by the rebels has decided to temporarily suspend artisanal mining at the site and issued orders to relocate the residents who set up temporary homes near the mine.
Rubaya is located in the heart of eastern Congo, a region rich in minerals that has suffered from violence and conflict between government forces and multiple armed groups, including M23.
The Rubaya area supplies more than 15% of the global supplies of tantalum, a rare mineral extracted from coltan and considered an essential element in the manufacturing of smartphones, computers, and aircraft engines.
In May 2024, M23 took control of the town and tightened its grip on its mines.
Eastern Congo has been experiencing repeated crises for decades, resulting in one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with more than 7 million people displaced, including 100,000 who fled from their homes since the beginning of this year.
Despite an agreement signed between the governments of Congo and Rwanda mediated by the United States, and ongoing negotiations between the rebels and the Congolese authorities, battles continue on several fronts in the east of the country, causing significant losses among civilians and military personnel.
The agreement between Congo and Rwanda also allows access for the US government and American companies to the vital minerals in the country.
