Urgent Rescue Operations Underway for Trapped Miners in DR Congo

In the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, local rescuers are frantically digging with bare hands to save trapped miners after a series of landslides buried makeshift shafts. While six miners have been rescued, conflicting reports about casualties persist, and ongoing conflict complicates rescue efforts.

In the heart of a gold-mining area in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), locals are mobilizing with limited resources to rescue miners ensnared underground after landslides devastated makeshift shafts. Since the early hours of Sunday, a dire rescue operation has seen six miners freed, though local journalist Ashuza Barack has reported that one is seriously injured, amid ongoing uncertainty about the death toll.

The area around Lomera, part of South Kivu province, has transformed into a hub of artisanal mining since gold was discovered last year. In response to the economic opportunity, thousands flocked to the region, turning it into a chaotic assembly of mineshafts and improvised shelters, as highlighted by medical charity MSF in relation to a recent cholera outbreak.

Following a series of cascading landslides, up to 15 mining sites were reportedly caught in the treacherous collapse. Rescue operations are hampered by the absence of proper tools; witnesses have revealed that many more miners could still be trapped. "We’ve been digging since Sunday night but have not recovered any bodies. We are exhausted," lamented one miner involved in the rescue efforts.

The situation is further complicated by the presence of M23 rebel groups in the area, which took control of large swathes of the DRC’s mineral-rich east early this year. M23 officials have visited the site and called for a halt to mining activities in certain parts; however, the compliance and safety of such operations remain contentious.

The broader context of DRC's mining industry sheds light on ongoing conflicts, as decades of fighting among rebel factions and the government continue to affect operations. The M23's territorial advances have notably intensified tensions, culminating in a new ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar over the weekend. However, the continuing chaos within the mining sector, coupled with the rampant disregard for safety standards, means that the risks for local miners remain alarmingly high.