At least 21 people have been confirmed dead after a coltan mine collapsed in Rubaya, located in the conflict-ridden Masisi territory of North Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Thursday.
Local authorities reported that more than 100 people have been rescued so far, while several others are believed to still be trapped underground. The rescue operation remains ongoing.
&ldquo;This is a provisional toll. Emergency crews are working tirelessly to find and save survivors showing signs of life,&rdquo; an official from the Masisi administrator&rsquo;s office told Xinhua news agency.
The cause of the collapse is still unclear.
Rubaya is known for holding one of the world&rsquo;s richest reserves of coltan, a critical mineral used to extract tantalum, which is vital for manufacturing smartphones, fighter jets, medical devices, and other electronics.
The site, attracting thousands of miners daily, includes both open-pit and underground mining operations. The United Nations estimates that Rubaya contributes over 15 per cent of the global tantalum supply.
Since April 2024, the area has been under the control of the M23 rebel group, which has intensified its offensives in North and South Kivu provinces in recent months. The region is also plagued by poor safety standards and illegal artisanal mining, often resulting in fatal accidents.
Authorities are expected to provide a further update on the situation later today.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]&nbsp;
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Over 20 Killed in Coltan Mine Collapse in Eastern Congo

Rescue efforts continue in Rubaya; over 100 rescued, many feared trapped underground

Over 20 Killed in Coltan Mine Collapse in Eastern Congo

Rescue efforts continue in Rubaya; over 100 rescued, many feared trapped underground

June 21, 2025 | 01:01 IST