Landslide at DRC mining site kills more than 100 people: local media

Over 100 people were killed in a landslide at a coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local media reported on Wednesday.

The landslide took place on Tuesday at the Rubaya mining area in North Kivu following heavy rains, news portal Actualite reported, citing witnesses.

The victims were mostly artisanal miners who mined coltan.

The victims include miners, food vendors, and other small-scale traders, the report said, adding that excavation work to find those missing is underway in extremely difficult conditions, with rudimentary means.

Landslide buries 'many people'

The incident comes barely a month after another disaster hit at the same site in January, killing over 400 people, according to local media reports.

Provincial authorities have yet to make any official announcement on the incident, which took place roughly 70 kilometres west of the provincial capital, Goma.

But the report, citing an artisanal miner who survived the accident, said a shaft began to collapse slowly and within seconds it covered many people.

Local media indicate that miners work without protective gear, and there are no engineers to gauge the solidity of the ground and warn miners of potential dangers.

Are under M23 rebel group's control

The mining area, rich in minerals including coltan, cassiterite, gold, and tourmaline, has been under the control of M23 rebels since 2024.

Following last month’s accident, the government denounced what it called the continued illegal exploitation of minerals at the site by rebels.

Despite an Angola-proposed ceasefire declared last month, effective February 18, clashes have intensified in DR Congo’s North Kivu province, displacing thousands of people from their homes.