At least 200 people were killed earlier this week when a landslide collapsed several mines at a major coltan mining site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rebel authorities said on Saturday. The collapse took place on Wednesday at the Rubaya mines, which are controlled by the M23 rebels, Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, the spokesperson of the rebel-appointed governor of North-Kivu province told the Associated Press. “For now, there are more than 200 dead, some of whom are still in the mud and have not yet been recovered,” Mr Muyisa said. In May 2024, M23 seized the town and took control of it mines. According to a UN report, since seizing Rubaya, the rebels have imposed taxes on the trade and transport of coltan, generating at least $800,000 (€675,000) a month.

Source: The Irish Times January 31, 2026 20:55 UTC