Wayne Lumbasi
People have lost their lives in a tragic accident at a copper cobalt mine in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The disaster occurred when a makeshift bridge collapsed under the weight of numerous artisanal miners trying to cross a flooded trench, sending many plunging into the waters below.
The Kalando mining site, located in Lualaba province, had previously been restricted due to heavy rains and landslide risks. Despite the ban, many informal miners continued to enter the site to extract valuable minerals. As the miners crowded onto the narrow bridge, it gave way, causing chaos. Reports indicate that soldiers stationed at the site fired gunshots during the panic, intensifying the disorder.
Local authorities and the Congolese agency overseeing artisanal mining, SAEMAPE, described the scene as a catastrophic combination of unsafe infrastructure and overcrowding. Some reports suggest the death toll could be higher, with estimates reaching 40 fatalities, while dozens more sustained injuries. Rescue teams are continuing operations to recover survivors and the bodies of those lost in the accident.
Artisanal mining in the DRC is a high risk activity, with millions relying on it for their livelihoods. Sites like Kalando are often poorly regulated and lack proper safety measures. This tragedy highlights the dangerous conditions under which informal miners operate, often risking their lives to extract cobalt and copper, minerals critical for global technology supply chains, including electric vehicle batteries and smartphones.
Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation to examine the actions of both mine operators and military personnel present at the site. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in Congo’s mining sector, including safety, regulation, and oversight, a sector long plagued by accidents, corruption, and child labor.
In response to the disaster, authorities have suspended operations at the Kalando mine and pledged support for the victims’ families. As the community copes with the immediate human toll, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the precarious conditions faced by artisanal miners in the DRC and the urgent need for reforms to protect their lives.
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