Top five things you need to know about the Kalando mine collapse in Congo

A tragic bridge collapse at the Kalando copper and cobalt mine in Lualaba province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has killed at least 32 artisanal miners. Officials said the miners rushed across a makeshift bridge amid heavy rain, defying bans on site access, which caused the structure to give way.

The disaster highlights longstanding safety concerns and governance challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s vital mining sector.

5 facts about the Kalando mine collapse:

Cause of Collapse: Miners forced their way into the mine despite a formal ban due to heavy rain. Panic triggered by gunfire at the site caused them to rush across a makeshift bridge, which collapsed.

Death Toll: Officials reported at least 32 deaths, while a government mining agency said at least 40 people may have died. Injuries are also reported among miners piled on top of one another.

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Mining Context: More than 10,000 wildcat miners work at Kalando, operating outside legal frameworks. The mine is disputed between informal miners, a cooperative, and legally recognised operators with Chinese involvement.

DRC’s Global Role: The country produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a mineral critical for electric vehicle batteries, laptops, and smartphones. Chinese companies control about 80% of cobalt production.

Safety Concerns: Accusations of child labour, corruption, and unsafe working conditions are long-standing in DRC’s cobalt mining sector. Human rights groups have called for an independent probe into the military’s role during the incident.

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