Coltan Mine Collapse Death Toll Surpasses 200 in Congo, Child Workers Among Victims

BBC reported on February 1st that rebel authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo disclosed over 200 deaths from a mine collapse in the eastern region. The spokesperson for North Kivu province stated that the coltan mine in Rubaya collapsed on Wednesday, January 28th, after continuous heavy rainfall. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as child workers were among those mining at the time. A former site manager noted that the mine was not properly maintained, making accidents more likely and hampering rescue efforts. Coltan contains tantalum, a key element used in high-performance capacitors for electronic devices like smartphones and computers. The Rubaya mine accounts for approximately 15% of global coltan ore reserves.