DRC Govt Condemns Artisanal Mine Collapse in Lualaba, Calls for Urgent Safety Measures
DRC Prime Minister Issues Condolences After Kolwezi Artisanal Mine Collapse, Pledges Stronger Safety Oversight
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa expressed profound sorrow following the collapse of an artisanal mining site on the outskirts of Kolwezi, in Lualaba Province, which resulted in the deaths of several Algerian nationals.
Speaking at the 78th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister offered condolences to the families of the victims and affirmed the government’s solidarity with all affected communities.
She described the tragedy as a stark reminder of the urgent need to regulate and enhance safety in artisanal mining operations.
Recalling directives from the President of the Republic, she noted that the Minister of Mines had been tasked, during the 47th Council of Ministers meeting, with implementing corrective and preventive measures for artisanal mining.
A report submitted by the Minister on December 30, 2025, contained recommendations and a proposed timeline for action, which the Prime Minister deemed both relevant and necessary.
In response to repeated mining accidents, the Prime Minister urged the Minister of Mines, in collaboration with the Deputy Prime Minister overseeing the Interior, to transform the report’s recommendations into an actionable operational plan.
The plan is expected to include clear timetables and defined responsibilities for all stakeholders, with the aim of sustainably improving safety standards at artisanal mining sites.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening oversight of artisanal mining, highlighting the sector’s importance to the national economy while acknowledging its ongoing challenges in security and regulation.
Recent incidents have underscored the urgency of these measures. In the Rubaya region of Masisi, at least 400 miners reportedly died in a mine collapse, while official government reports confirmed at least 200 fatalities. Another collapse in Lualaba province claimed 30 lives.
The Prime Minister emphasized that these tragedies must serve as a catalyst for decisive action to protect miners and ensure safer, more regulated artisanal mining practices across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
