At least 32 miners have died after a bridge collapsed at an illegal cobalt mine in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), officials confirmed Sunday. The tragedy occurred at the Kalando mine in Lualaba province, approximately 42 kilometers from the provincial capital, Kolwezi.
Authorities said heavy rains and the presence of soldiers triggered panic among thousands of miners, forcing them to rush across a makeshift bridge that gave way under the crowd. The miners fell into a flooded trench, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Officials reported that 32 bodies had been recovered, with search efforts ongoing.
The DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a vital mineral for electric vehicle batteries, laptops, and smartphones. Yet, illegal “wildcat” mining remains widespread, with over 200,000 people working in unsafe conditions. The Kalando mine alone reportedly hosts more than 10,000 informal miners.
Longstanding disputes between wildcat miners, legal mining operators with Chinese investment, and cooperative organizations have heightened tensions at the site. Concerns about child labor, corruption, and hazardous working conditions continue to plague the country’s cobalt industry. Following the disaster, provincial authorities have suspended all operations at Kalando.
The DRC’s mineral riches, particularly cobalt, remain a key driver of conflict in the eastern regions, where instability has persisted for more than three decades.
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