At Least 32 Killed in DR Congo After Bridge Collapse at Cobalt Mine
A devastating incident occurred on Saturday at the Kalando mine in southeastern Lualaba province, leaving at least 32 people dead after a makeshift bridge collapsed. The tragic event took place despite warnings about overcrowding and safety risks.
According to Interior Minister Roy Kaumbe Mayonde, the collapse was triggered by miners rushing across the rickety bridge built over a flooded trench, which ultimately led to the structure giving way. Witnesses reported that gunfire from soldiers at the site had caused panic among the miners, who were not supposed to be there due to heavy rain and landslide risks.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between wildcat miners, a cooperative organization meant to regulate digging at Kalando, and the site's legitimate operators with Chinese involvement. According to reports, more than 10,000 wildcat miners were operating at the mine at the time of the collapse.
Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the military's role in the deaths, citing clashes between miners and soldiers. Provincial authorities have suspended operations at the site pending further investigations.
The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt, a mineral crucial to making lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The country's mining industry has faced numerous allegations of child labor, poor working conditions, and corruption.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing the DRC's mining sector, which has been plagued by conflict for over three decades. As concerns about safety and accountability continue to mount, many are left wondering what it will take to ensure that those responsible for such tragedies are held accountable.
A devastating incident occurred on Saturday at the Kalando mine in southeastern Lualaba province, leaving at least 32 people dead after a makeshift bridge collapsed. The tragic event took place despite warnings about overcrowding and safety risks.
According to Interior Minister Roy Kaumbe Mayonde, the collapse was triggered by miners rushing across the rickety bridge built over a flooded trench, which ultimately led to the structure giving way. Witnesses reported that gunfire from soldiers at the site had caused panic among the miners, who were not supposed to be there due to heavy rain and landslide risks.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between wildcat miners, a cooperative organization meant to regulate digging at Kalando, and the site's legitimate operators with Chinese involvement. According to reports, more than 10,000 wildcat miners were operating at the mine at the time of the collapse.
Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the military's role in the deaths, citing clashes between miners and soldiers. Provincial authorities have suspended operations at the site pending further investigations.
The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt, a mineral crucial to making lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The country's mining industry has faced numerous allegations of child labor, poor working conditions, and corruption.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing the DRC's mining sector, which has been plagued by conflict for over three decades. As concerns about safety and accountability continue to mount, many are left wondering what it will take to ensure that those responsible for such tragedies are held accountable.
This is a classic case of government inaction & corruption 
At least 32 lives lost because the mine operators didn't follow safety protocols, but I wonder if it's because they were too busy dodging military gunfire to prioritize their workers' well-being 
The real question is, who's going to hold them accountable for this? Is it just a bunch of Chinese investors with no local ties 
or is it the Congolese government that needs to step up its game 
After all, the DRC has been producing cobalt like crazy for decades, but what about the workers' rights? When will we see real change in this country? 
... reminds me of the time the highway in my hometown collapsed back in '97 and all these cars just went flying everywhere 
. I mean, how many times do we gotta see this happen before ppl take safety seriously? 
32 people dead in a bridge collapse at a mine... how do these things happen? 
. I mean, over 10k miners operating at the mine? That's a recipe for disaster. The government's suspension of operations is a good start, but what else needs to be done to prevent this from happening again?
, 32 lives lost due to a bridge collapse at a mine site is just devastating 
? The fact that gunfire from soldiers caused panic among miners is just horrific 
. We need to hold those in power accountable for these tragedies 
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The fact that more than 10,000 wildcat miners were operating at the mine at the time of the collapse is just staggering 
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. We need to take action and support initiatives that prioritize safety, accountability, and fair labor practices 
. It's time for real change in the DRC's mining sector 
can't believe this is happening again in DR Congo 
we need to talk about child labor and poor working conditions too - it's unacceptable. these wildcat miners shouldn't be risking their lives for a living wage 
military involvement in mining is not the answer, we need to find another way to manage conflicts without putting more people at risk 
and now human rights orgs are calling for an independent investigation...time to hold those responsible accountable 
this is just heartbreaking. another tragedy in a country with so much wealth... cobalt's the thing making electric cars go, yet we're still seeing lives lost at the very mines that supply it. can't even get the basic safety measures right, let alone address the corruption and child labor issues. the DRC deserves better 
. It's not like it's rocket science... get it together! 
. chinese involvement just adds fuel to the fire... guess they're more interested in getting their hands dirty for a quick buck than ensuring safety and respect for human life 
I'm shocked someone died on purpose by rushing a bridge, shouldn't people be able to move across no matter how bad the weather is? 
? and the country's mining industry has been plagued by child labor for decades 
however, the country's mining sector has been plagued by corruption and poor working conditions 
here's a rough breakdown of cobalt mining statistics:
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