GOMA, DR Congo, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of people were killed Saturday in a landslide at an artisanal mining site in the Rubaya mining area of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local media reported, following a series of recent deadly accidents in the region.
The disaster occurred at around 5:30 a.m. local time at the Gakombe mining site in the Rubaya mining region, known for its coltan resources. Heavy rainfall in recent weeks caused the landslide, which buried artisanal miners working in open pits as well as residents in the nearby sub-village of Gatabi, adjacent to the mining zone.
Local media, citing local sources, reported that the tragedy killed dozens, while authorities have not yet released an official death toll.
Many people remain missing, and search efforts are continuing under difficult conditions, raising fears that casualties could rise, residents and officials told Xinhua.
The Rubaya mining zone has been under the control of the March 23 Movement rebel group since 2024. The area was reclassified by the DRC government since November as a "red zone," formally prohibiting mining and mineral trading.
Rubaya has witnessed repeated mining disasters. Earlier this week, a mine collapse triggered by heavy rains claimed more than 200 lives, including around 70 children. In January, several shafts collapsed at coltan mining sites, reportedly killing at least 200, with some estimates exceeding 400, excluding those still missing.
Coltan, or columbite-tantalite, is the main source of tantalum, a rare metal used in the production of advanced electronic devices. The United Nations estimated that the Rubaya mines alone account for about 15 percent of the global tantalum supply. ■