At least 200 people were killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in the eastern Rubaya mining area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the 31st local time, the Associated Press said.
According to local rebel authorities, after torrential rains continued on the 28th in the Rubaya mining area and a landslide occurred, several mining zones collapsed in succession. More than 200 people were killed in the accident and many were injured, and some are still said to be buried under the mud.
M23, which is controlling the site, said it temporarily suspended mining operations after the accident and ordered residents near hazardous areas to relocate.
Rubaya is considered a major source of coltan, the raw material for tantalum, a rare metal used as a key component in electronic devices. Local output is cited at about 1,000 tons a year and accounts for 15% of the global coltan supply.