Congo Cobalt Mine Bridge Collapse: At Least 32 Illegal Miners Dead

On the 15th, a bridge collapse occurred at a cobalt mine in the southeastern part of the Central African country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in at least 32 illegal miners losing their lives.

According to AFP, provincial interior minister Mayonde of Lualaba Province told reporters on the 16th that the collapsed bridge happened to fall onto a waterlogged area within the mine site. So far, 32 bodies have been recovered and rescue operations are still ongoing.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces more than 70% of the world's cobalt, a raw material essential for the batteries used in electric vehicles, many laptops, and mobile phones. It is estimated that over 200,000 people in the country are involved in large-scale illegal cobalt mining.

Local authorities indicated that the accident occurred at a mine located about 42 kilometers southeast of the provincial capital, Kolwezi.

Mayonde said that due to heavy rains and landslide risks, the authorities had banned entry into the mining area, but illegal miners still forcibly entered the quarry.

He stated that the miners, eager to cross a waterlogged ditch, rushed to use a makeshift bridge, which led to its collapse due to overloading.