Tragic landslides kill over 220 coltan miners in democratic republic of congo

Two devastating landslides struck a coltan mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on January 28-29, killing more than 220 artisanal miners known locally as “diggers.” The tragedy unfolded at the Luwowo mining site in North Kivu province’s Rubaya area, a region that produces approximately 15% of the world’s coltan supply—a critical mineral used in smartphones and other electronic devices.

The back-to-back disasters occurred after heavy rains pounded the region through January 27, destabilizing the already precarious terrain. The first landslide hit on January 28, followed by another deadly collapse the next day. The miners work in dangerous conditions, using only pickaxes to dig extensive tunnel networks in search of coltan. These makeshift tunnels are supported merely by wooden planks and often lack basic safety measures, including proper spacing between workers to maintain soil stability.

The mining site operates in territory controlled by M23, the largest armed group in the region, which has been backed by Rwanda according to United Nations reports. This area has been under M23 control since April 2024, adding another layer of complexity to an already hazardous situation.

This ecological and human tragedy highlights the deadly risks faced by thousands of artisanal miners who extract minerals essential to modern technology. The incident underscores urgent needs for improved safety standards and international oversight in Congo’s mining sector, where similar accidents have occurred previously in other provinces like Katanga.