Deadly Rockfalls Highlight Dangers in DRC’s Artisanal Mining Sector
Rockfalls at artisanal mining sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are becoming increasingly frequent, particularly in the conflict-affected eastern provinces.
The latest tragedy occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2025, when seven artisanal gold miners—all from the same family—were killed in a collapse at the G7 mining site in Mapale village, Lugushwa, Mwenga territory.
The incident prompted immediate concern from local civil society, which urged the Assistance and Support Service for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (SAEMAPE) to strengthen its oversight efforts on the ground.
Speaking to Deskeco on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Faustin Takima, a SAEMAPE field agent in Mambasa (Ituri province), attributed the rise in such accidents to the widespread disregard of mining safety regulations and the lack of access for monitoring agents due to persistent insecurity in the region.
“Artisanal miners often ignore the rules,” Takima explained. “For instance, the law requires gold mining pits to be open-air and prohibits underground galleries. It also limits excavation depth to 30 meters. These standards are frequently violated.”
Takima further noted that armed groups operating in mining areas hinder SAEMAPE agents from accessing and inspecting sites, making regulation and safety enforcement extremely difficult.
Beyond security and regulatory issues, Takima also pointed to natural causes, particularly the region’s equatorial climate.
Heavy rainfall frequently leads to landslides, increasing the risk of deadly collapses in poorly supported mining shafts.
“Just last week, in Mambasa, we recorded fatal landslides triggered by rain,” he said. “In one case, several miners were trapped underground.
Some bodies were recovered, but others remain missing. We’ve also had similar reports near Durba, in Haut-Uele.”
To prevent further tragedies, Takima urged the Congolese government to reinforce safety controls in artisanal mining zones.
He emphasized the need for training, supervision, and the provision of proper equipment to miners to reduce the frequency of fatal accidents.
