32 Dead in Congo Mine Disaster as Cobalt Demand Soars

On November 16, 2025, a bridge at the Kalando cobalt mine in Lualaba province collapsed, killing at least 32 artisanal miners. Officials said the wooden structure fell after miners crowded onto it while trying to reach a pit despite clear weather warnings earlier in the day.

Rescue teams described the site as unstable and difficult to reach. Video recorded by workers showed the bridge shaking before it gave way, sending miners into a deep excavation. Local authorities said search efforts would continue, though hopes for more survivors are low.

Cobalt is central to the modern technology economy. The Democratic Republic of the Congo supplies more than 70% of the global cobalt used in batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, and large storage systems. This makes the country a critical link in the global shift to electric transport and digital devices.

A major share of Congo cobalt comes from artisanal and small scale miners. They use simple hand tools and often work in narrow shafts and dangerous pits. Many operate without safety checks, protective gear, or formal oversight. Human rights groups say some miners are children, and many earn only $1 or $2 per day. These earnings contrast sharply with the value of the metals they dig from the ground.

Local officials said the Kalando site had reported safety risks in the past. Heavy rains had weakened parts of the structure, and engineers had warned miners to avoid overloaded walkways. But production pressure and rising demand kept the site active. Several survivors told officials that miners rushed onto the bridge to reach a fresh deposit reported by scouts.

The collapse follows another recent incident at the Kasulo mine, where a tailings dam failed and forced nearby families to flee. Both events point to ongoing problems in the informal sector that supplies roughly one fifth of Congo cobalt. Analysts say these disasters raise questions about how global companies track the origins of the minerals that feed their supply chains.

Advocacy groups argue that companies that rely on cobalt have made progress on traceability programs but still struggle to fully separate industrial production from informal mining. They say that without stronger safeguards, workers remain at risk while global demand for batteries continues to climb.

Local leaders in Lualaba province say conditions for miners reflect long running gaps in regulation. They point to limited staffing, weak enforcement, and little investment in safer structures. They say that repeated accidents show the need for clear standards and firm oversight. Several leaders called for a review of all artisanal sites in the province.

Families of the victims gathered near the mine entrance and demanded answers. Some said they had raised concerns about the bridge weeks earlier. Others said they want companies that buy cobalt to take responsibility for the real conditions behind the metal.

The government has announced an investigation into the collapse. Officials say they will study the cause, check weather alerts, and examine whether overcrowding could have been prevented. They also promised to review safety rules for artisanal sites across the region.

The Kalando disaster shows the sharp divide between the rising demand for cobalt in global technology and the fragile conditions faced by the miners who extract it.

Featured image via YouTube screengrab