Local officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo told Reuters that the collapse of the Rubaya coltan mine occurred yesterday and that more than 200 people have died so far.
This deadly incident has not only claimed the lives of the mine workers, but also women and children present in the market surrounding the mine. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, and the number of victims is likely to increase.
The Rubaya coltan mine is one of the mining areas for the rare metal coltan, which is the main raw material for tantalum production.
Tantalum is widely used in the manufacture of mobile phones, space equipment systems, and gas turbines due to its high resistance to heat and corrosion.
Deadly accidents in Congo’s informal and traditional mines have been repeated many times due to a lack of safety standards, heavy rainfall, and illegal mining activities, making the country one of the most dangerous places in the world for miners.
