Child Miners Face Deadly Conditions in DRC’s Rubaya. Rubaya, Democratic Republic of the Congo — March 20, 2026 LEAD PARAGRAPH In the aftermath of a deadly mine collapse in Rubaya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, child miners continue to face perilous working conditions. Over 200 people, including 70 children, died in the disaster, highlighting the dangers of artisanal mining in the region.
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The Rubaya mine, located in North Kivu province, is rich in coltan, tin, and tungsten, essential minerals for modern technology. Despite child labor being illegal in DRC, many children, like 15-year-old Mishiki Nshokano, are forced to work in the mines to support their families.
Nshokano, who lost his father in a mining accident in 2022, says he has no choice but to return to the mines. “
I have no other choice, “he. “
The little I earn, I take it home to my mum.”.
The mining sector in DRC is largely unregulated, and violence between the Congolese army and armed groups, including the Rwanda — backed M23, further complicates the situation. Despite the government’s ban on child labor, the practice persists in the informal mining sector.
The United States Bureau of International Labor Affairs reported in 2023 that there is “almost no labor oversight “in cobalt mines in eastern DRC, where labor exploitation is common.
The International Labour Organization also noted the prevalence of child labor in mines extracting cobalt and coltan.
The Congolese government has condemned the use of child labor by the M23 rebels, but observers say the issue predates the rebels’occupation of the area.
According to UNICEF, an estimated 40,000 children are working in mines in the DRC.
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As mining activities in Rubaya continue, the future of child miners like Nshokano remains uncertain. “I hope that one day, everything will be all right, “he.
Further details are expected as the situation develops.
