Conflicting Reports Emerge After Deadly Mine Collapse in Eastern Congo; Officials Claim 200 Dead, Rebels Dispute Toll

Kinshasa. Congolese officials stated that at least 200 people died in a major accident at a key coltan mine in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo on Tuesday. However, the rebel group controlling the area disputes the government's figures, claiming the death toll is significantly lower.

A statement issued by the Congolese Ministry of Mines on Wednesday indicated significant loss of life and property when the mine in the Rubaya area, controlled by the M23 rebel group, collapsed on Tuesday. Such accidents are frequent in the mineral-rich but long-conflict-ridden eastern Congo.

However, Feni Kaj, a senior official of the M23 rebel group controlling the mining area, rejected the government's figures, stating that the incident was not a mine collapse but a bomb explosion. According to him, the death toll is claimed to be no more than five people.

"I can confirm that the published reports are not correct," Kaj said. "There was no landslide there; it was a bomb explosion, and the death toll is not as people are saying. About five people have died."

However, Ibrahim Talusek, a mineral worker at the site, stated that they pulled out more than 200 bodies while involved in the rescue operation. According to him, an attempt might be underway to hide the actual death toll.

"We are scared, but people's lives are in danger," Talusek said. "The pit owners do not want to make the real death toll public."

The Rubaya area is a significant mineral zone in eastern Congo. This region has remained unstable for decades due to conflict between the government army and various armed groups. The conflict has intensified recently after the resurgent, Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group expanded its influence in the area.

Congo is the world's leading supplier of coltan. Coltan is a black metallic ore from which the rare metal tantalum is extracted. This metal is used as a crucial raw material in the manufacturing of smartphones, computers, and aircraft engines.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, about 40% of the coltan produced worldwide in 2023 came from Congo. Australia, Canada, and Brazil are also major suppliers. It is reported that more than 15% of the world's tantalum supply comes from the mines in Rubaya.

In May 2024, M23 rebels captured the town of Rubaya and took control of the mines there. According to a United Nations report, since then, the rebels have been levying taxes on the trade and transport of coltan, earning at least eight hundred thousand US dollars per month from it.

Eastern Congo has long been plagued by conflict, violence, and instability. The struggle between various armed groups and the government army has created one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced so far, with over 300,000 forced to leave their homes since December alone.

In June, the governments of Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement mediated by the United States. Although talks between the rebel group and the Congolese government are ongoing, fighting continues in various parts of eastern Congo, causing heavy casualties to both civilians and soldiers.

The agreement reached between Congo and Rwanda has also paved the way for the U.S. government and American companies to increase access to critical minerals.

More than 200 people lost their lives in a similar mine accident last month.