Congo Copper Mine Incident Kills Around 30 Workers

Bridge Collapse at Congo Copper Mine Sparks Fatalities

Around 30 miners died after a bridge collapsed at the Kalando copper site in Lualaba province, Congo. Officials report that panic, reportedly triggered by gunfire from military personnel, caused miners to pile on top of each other, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Twenty miners remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The semi-industrial mine is part of Congo’s vast artisanal mining sector, which employs 1.5–2 million people directly and supports over 10 million indirectly. Accidents in these underregulated sites occur frequently due to unsafe structures and lack of proper equipment.

Military Role and Calls for Investigation

The Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Support and Guidance Service (SAEMAPE) linked the deaths to panic caused by military gunfire. Meanwhile, human rights groups demand an independent probe into potential military misconduct. Provincial Interior Minister Roy Kaumba confirmed 32 fatalities in a televised statement.

Safety standards remain a critical concern in Congo’s artisanal copper sector. Experts warn that without stricter regulations, such tragedies are likely to persist, affecting both local communities and global copper supply chains.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The Kalando incident underscores ongoing risks in artisanal copper mining. Investors and buyers should monitor supply chain vulnerabilities and ethical sourcing measures in Congo. Strengthening safety standards and transparent military oversight is crucial for sustainable copper production.