Tragic Artisanal Mining Collapse in Kolwezi Claims Around 100 Lives
Mulondo Mine Disaster in DRC: Dozens Killed in Deadly Artisanal Mining Accident Near Kolwezi
Around 100 artisanal miners lost their lives on Saturday, November 15, 2025, when they fell into an open-pit mine while attempting to escape gunfire from armed assailants.
The incident occurred at the Mulondo mine, located approximately 30 kilometers from Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Preliminary reports indicate that nearly 100 miners died instantly, with over 100 more believed to be buried under rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing, as teams and volunteers work tirelessly to recover bodies despite the difficult access to the site.
This tragedy underscores the persistent safety risks in the artisanal mining sector, which is often marked by hazardous working conditions, weak oversight, and illegal mining activities. Images circulating on social media show families plunged into mourning, highlighting the human toll of the disaster.
The incident once again exposes long-standing flaws in the sector: repeated mine collapses, inhumane labor conditions, unregulated mining zones, and a lack of effective government oversight. Despite repeated warnings over the years, meaningful action to prevent such disasters has been limited.
In a country where mineral resources are a key pillar of the economy, such inaction has become increasingly unacceptable.
Authorities are urged to take immediate responsibility by conducting a transparent investigation, identifying failures in administration and security, holding those accountable, and strengthening regulatory and safety mechanisms to prevent future tragedies.
