9 minutes ago
- copy link
A mine collapsed in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday. At least 32 people died in the accident. Many people are feared buried under the debris. An official informed about the incident on Sunday. The accident occurred at the Kalando mine in Mulondo, Lualaba province.
Provincial Home Minister Roy Kaumba Mayonde told a press conference that entry into the mine was banned due to heavy rains and the risk of landslides. Despite this, illegal miners had forcibly entered the mine.
DRC government agency SAEMAPE reports that soldiers’ firing at the scene caused panic among the miners and they ran towards the bridge above the mine, causing the bridge to collapse.
A video of the incident has also surfaced, in which many people were seen standing under the mine. Suddenly a large part of the mine collapsed and many people were buried under its debris. Many people fell on each other while fleeing, resulting in their deaths.
Let us tell you that DRC is the largest producer of cobalt in the world. Cobalt is used to make lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other projects. 80% of the production in this Central African country is under the control of Chinese companies. The country’s mining industry has long been battling allegations of child labour, unsafe conditions and corruption.
Source link
[ad_3]
