In the Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 32 people lost their lives on November 15 at the Kalando mine in Lualaba province, when an artisanal bridge collapsed under the pressure of illegal miners. The accident occurred amid heavy rains and insufficient oversight of mining sites. Panic caused by the presence of military personnel on site worsened the situation. This tragedy highlights the dangers of artisanal mining and the urgent need to strengthen safety measures to protect local communities.
At least 32 people lost their lives on November 15, 2025, at the Kalando mine in Lualaba province, DRC, after an artisanal bridge used by miners to cross a flooded trench collapsed. The site, officially closed due to heavy rains and the risk of landslides, had been overrun by hundreds of artisanal miners seeking to extract copper and cobalt.
Despite the formal ban on access to the site due to heavy rains and landslide risks, illegal miners forced their way into the quarry. To reach it, they had built a makeshift bridge to cross the safety trenches installed by the company to prevent any intrusion.
Roy Kaumba Mayonde, Provincial Minister of the Interior – DR Congo
According to initial reports from the field, the presence of military personnel worsened the situation: gunfire reportedly caused panic among the miners, triggering an uncontrolled rush toward the fragile bridge until it collapsed. Authorities now say the death toll could exceed the 32 confirmed fatalities, while an investigation has been launched to determine responsibility at all levels.
During the diggers’ hurried crossing, the weight of so many people on the unstable structure caused it to collapse, and several individuals fell into the deep waters of the trench.
Roy Kaumba Mayonde, Provincial Minister of the Interior – DR Congo
This tragedy once again highlights the fragility and lack of oversight at artisanal mining sites in the DRC. To address the issue, the provincial government recommends strengthening the security of mining areas, constructing infrastructure that meets safety standards, removing unauthorized military personnel, and imposing supervision of artisanal cooperatives. If implemented seriously, these measures could reduce risks and better protect communities that depend on mining.
