Trendpills
A mining accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in the deaths of at least 32 people. The incident occurred on Friday, November 15, in the Kolwezi area of Lualaba province, a region rich in copper and cobalt deposits. According to provincial officials, the collapse happened at a site operated by the Chinese company Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.
The victims were identified as artisanal miners, often referred to as "creuseurs," who were working illegally at the site. A statement from Lualaba's provincial interior minister, Deoda Kapenda, confirmed the death toll and stated that the miners were operating in a prohibited zone. The collapse was reportedly triggered when a bridge overhanging the mine gave way under the weight of a truck, burying the workers below. Rescue operations have been underway, but hopes of finding more survivors are diminishing.
The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers associated with informal mining in the DRC. The country is the world's largest producer of cobalt, a critical component in batteries for electric vehicles and electronics, and a major copper supplier. However, the sector is plagued by unsafe working conditions, child labor, and frequent deadly accidents. Thousands of unregulated miners operate in and around large industrial concessions, often at great personal risk.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the collapse. This is not the first fatal incident in the region's mining sector. In 2019, more than 40 illegal miners died in a collapse at a nearby copper and cobalt mine owned by Glencore. Despite governmental efforts and corporate policies to secure mining sites, the economic pressures on the local population often drive them to continue illicit and hazardous digging. The recurring incidents underscore the challenges of regulating the DRC's vast mineral wealth and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
