A catastrophic mine collapse in Kawama, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, has claimed at least 80 lives, according to early reports. The disaster occurred on November 15, 2025, at an unregulated artisanal copper or cobalt mine in Kolwezi, and footage from the scene captures the scale and horror of the event.

Video shows a massive open-pit landslide generating thick dust clouds, with miners and rescuers scrambling around a 100-meter-wide crater. The collapse left miners trapped beneath tons of rock and debris, while locals attempted desperate rescues using basic tools. The immediate chaos highlights the dangers inherent in unregulated mining operations, where safety protocols are minimal or nonexistent.

Artisanal mining is common in the DRC, particularly for copper and cobalt, critical resources for global technology supply chains. However, the lack of regulation and proper infrastructure often results in deadly accidents, as witnessed in Kawama. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but access remains difficult due to the unstable terrain and the enormous scale of the collapse.

The tragedy has drawn international attention, underscoring the urgent need for improved mining safety standards and oversight in regions where artisanal and small-scale operations dominate. While local authorities coordinate with emergency teams, the disaster is a stark reminder of the human cost associated with poorly regulated extraction of critical minerals.

As the scale of the catastrophe becomes clearer, the focus remains on locating survivors and providing aid to families affected by the collapse. The incident also raises pressing questions about the global responsibility of companies sourcing cobalt and copper from high-risk, unregulated mines in the DRC.