Written by Michael Thervil

[coal miners killed M23] 200 coal miners were killed during a mining operation collapse over the weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rubaya coltan mine which is operated by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group is located northwest of Goma city in the North Kivu Province. The cause of the collapse was due to a landslide. While at least 20 of the miners were rescued, the majority of miners could not be saved because of the dangerous conditions produced by the rainy season in the region. With the heavy rains that swept through the areas, when the landslide happened, it left many miners to either be buried alive or trapped within the coal mines itself.

The Rubaya coal mine produces an estimated 15% of the world's coltan. Coltan is a heat-resistant metal that is used to create tantalum. Tantalum is heavily used in cell phones, aerospace components, gas turbines, computers and other electronics. The funds generated from the mined coltan in the Rubaya mine are used to fund the M23 rebel group. Several companies, including APPLE, have been sued over the years because of their decision to purchase coltan from the rebel-controlled mines.

Former Colonel now Governor Erasto Bahati Musanga who was appointed to a leadership position by M23 visited the mine this past Friday. The M23 rebels have been in control of the Rubaya mine since 2024.