32 Dead at Congo Cobalt Mine Supplying World's Electric Vehicle Batteries

A tragic incident occurred at the Kalando cobalt mine in Lualaba province, where a temporary bridge collapsed, killing at least 32 informal miners. The bridge, built over a flooded mine shaft on 15 November, Saturday, suddenly collapsed when it was overcrowded.

Local authorities said that thousands of “wildcat” miners forced their way into the mine despite a ban on entry. Photos obtained after the accident showed workers pulling bodies from the flooded shaft and bodies lying in rows around it.

The scale of the horror has become clearer with reports from human rights commissions, international media and government agencies. However, it is still not certain how many are missing.

Crowds defy ban, bridge collapse begins

Thousands of informal workers defied strict restrictions on entry to the mine area and entered. The administration had declared the area dangerous due to heavy rains and the risk of landslides.

However, the competition for cobalt extraction was so fierce that workers ignored the risks and went to work. The makeshift bridge was the only way to cross the flooded mine. The excessive pressure of the workers, the slippery structure and the soft soil all combined to cause the bridge to collapse suddenly. In an instant, the workers were crushed on top of each other.

Soldiers’ gunfire increases panic, hampers rescue efforts

A report by the government agency SAEMAPE revealed that soldiers stationed in the mine area had fired shots just before the accident. The sound of the gunfire spread panic among the workers and they ran towards the bridge to escape.

As a result, a terrible crowd formed on the bridge within seconds. The report said that this panic increased the death toll. Workers at the scene said that after the gunfire, everyone’s only goal was to cross the bridge and get out. But that panic turned out to be the root cause of the bridge collapse.

Old disputes, corruption and irregularities

The Kalando mine has long been the focus of conflict between wildcat workers, legal operators and security forces. Complaints about the involvement and control of Chinese companies in the management of the mine have been long-standing.

Various organizations have long said that the unsafe environment, corruption, child labor and human rights violations in the mining area have not been stopped. About 10,000 informal workers work there, which has become almost impossible for the administration to control. This accident has further highlighted that deep crisis.

Global demand for cobalt, but the value of miners’ lives is low

DR Congo produces more than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt, which is an important component of electric cars, mobile phones and laptop batteries. Despite increasing global demand, minimum safety standards for workers have not been ensured. As the price of cobalt on the international market has increased, the entry of informal miners has increased.

The number of deaths has also increased due to weak security measures. Human rights organizations say that workers are being pushed to the brink of danger in the greed for mineral resources. The incident in Kalando shows that the tragedy will not stop without a quick reform of the situation.

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Sekurang-kurangnya 32 orang terbunuh apabila sebuah jambatan roboh di kawasan lombong tembaga di Lombong Kalando di Mulondo, wilayah Lualaba, Republik Demokratik Congo. Insiden yang berlaku pada Sabtu itu berpunca daripada “pelombong yang melintas secara tergesa-gesa”, sehingga menyebabkan jambatan sementara itu roboh ke dalam parit.

♬ original sound – Berita AlHijrah – Berita AlHijrah