This archive report was first published on 29 June 2019.
On June 27, 2019, a devastating mine collapse occurred in the Kolwezi area of the Democratic Republic of Congo, operated by Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a subsidiary of Glencore.
According to Richard Muyej, governor of the Lualaba province, at least 43 miners lost their lives in the accident, contradicting Glencore's initial statement of 19 fatalities.
Glencore acknowledged the possibility of 'possible further unconfirmed fatalities,' while the Red Cross and some civil groups estimated the number of fatalities to be between 60 and 80.
As the region is rich in copper and cobalt, the issue of illegal mining has become a pressing concern, with an average of 2,000 people intruding on Glencore's operating sites daily.
Illegal mining is a common and frequently deadly occurrence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where safety is often poor and risk-taking is high.
As Muyej stated, 'After the burials we will hold a big meeting with leaders of the illegal miners to agree once and for all on the rules.'
