M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo recently allowed the BBC to visit a huge mining site under their control which is vital to the production of the world’s mobile phones - and over its vast expanse not one person was idle.
Thousands of miners dotted the landscape covered with pits and tunnels.
Some were deep underground digging up ore with shovels, others then hoisted sacks of the extracted rock containing coltan, which is used to make many electronic devices, on to their shoulders. They then took it to assembly points where others washed and filtered it with spades and by hand.
“We usually have more than 10,000 or more people working here daily,” Patrice Musafiri, who has supervised the Rubaya mining site since the rebels took control of it in April last year, told the BBC.
When we are deep in the mines, temperatures are very high - digging the mineral is also very hard"
It is tricky terrain to navigate - our team needed the aid of walking sticks, as well as Mr Musafiri’s guidance, to stop us falling - yet for most of the men it is the only life they have known. It may be onerous and dangerous, but it allows them to make a small living.
“When we are deep in the mines, temperatures are very high - digging the mineral is also very hard… plus there can be other harmful gases,” mineworker Peter Osiasi told the BBC.
“Sometimes cold air is pumped inside so that we can continue working,” he said.
But the young man said he was grateful that since he began mining five years ago, he has been able to save a little money for a dowry and is now married with children.
“My life has really changed. Mining has really helped me.”
The swathe of golden scarred earth they mine is found in the sprawling, lush Masisi Hills of North Kivu province - around 60km (37 miles) north-west of the city of Goma - and holds 15% of the world’s coltan supply and half of the DR Congo’s total deposits.
Little wonder that global investors have their eyes on this area.
It has provided immense wealth over the years to the various armed groups that have overseen it at different times, including the army.
Hassan Lali / BBC Overhead shot of mining activities at Rubaya mine where the terrain is hilly - slightly terraced. The bare earth is a light brown, some of it has a darker more orange shade. Many groups of miners can be seen from a distance cleaning ore. One corrugated metal shack can be seen. In the distance are green fields.Hassan Lali / BBC
The Rubaya mine supervisor said no armed men were allowed at the vast site
We arrived at the mine, which is around 10km outside Rubaya town, several days after a ceasefire deal was signed in Washington by DR Congo and Rwanda as part of the peace process aimed at ending three decades of instability in the region.
The roots of the insecurity in the east of DR Congo are notoriously complicated.
There is an ethnic dimension, with many rebel groups operating here - including an ethnic Hutu militia linked to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which Kigali believes has Congolese backing.
What's the fighting in DR Congo all about?
Ceasefire deal still faces many challenges
The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo
In Washington both sides committed on 27 June to disarm and disengage their alleged proxies (despite denying having any).
The M23 was not party to the deal. Mainly led by ethnic Tutsis, it controls large parts of eastern DR Congo - and since January has taken control of Goma, the city of Bukavu and two airports. Rwanda has been accused by many — including the UN — of backing the M23. However, the authorities there deny sending military or financial aid.
The US’s involvement in the process seems to hinge on getting access to DR Congo’s mineral resources - though nothing has so far been specified.
“We’re getting for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the [DR] Congo,” said US President Donald Trump ahead of the signing.
Hassan Lali / BBC Muddy workers are seen on a slope at Rubaya mine in DR Congo. One in green wellingtons, black jeans and T-shirt looks at the camera, another in a similar outfit is seen from the back as he walks with a sack on his shoulders. A group of women are seen a little further down the slope near some big basins and jerry cans.Hassan Lali / BBC
Some women work at Rubaya mine site selling food and water to the miners
During our brief visit - we were allowed access for around 45 minutes - there was no hint that the chain of command was about to change.
The supervisor, appointed by the M23, was keen to explain how the set-up at Rubaya had been reor
Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works
on 13 Jul 15:43
collapse
Thanks that’s interesting. Thought they paywalled everyone but GB
threaded - newest
Too bad access to BBC is rare now.
They went hardcore paywall.
Worked fine in Aus? Ill paste it-
M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo recently allowed the BBC to visit a huge mining site under their control which is vital to the production of the world’s mobile phones - and over its vast expanse not one person was idle.
Thousands of miners dotted the landscape covered with pits and tunnels.
Some were deep underground digging up ore with shovels, others then hoisted sacks of the extracted rock containing coltan, which is used to make many electronic devices, on to their shoulders. They then took it to assembly points where others washed and filtered it with spades and by hand.
“We usually have more than 10,000 or more people working here daily,” Patrice Musafiri, who has supervised the Rubaya mining site since the rebels took control of it in April last year, told the BBC.
When we are deep in the mines, temperatures are very high - digging the mineral is also very hard"
It is tricky terrain to navigate - our team needed the aid of walking sticks, as well as Mr Musafiri’s guidance, to stop us falling - yet for most of the men it is the only life they have known. It may be onerous and dangerous, but it allows them to make a small living.
“When we are deep in the mines, temperatures are very high - digging the mineral is also very hard… plus there can be other harmful gases,” mineworker Peter Osiasi told the BBC.
“Sometimes cold air is pumped inside so that we can continue working,” he said.
But the young man said he was grateful that since he began mining five years ago, he has been able to save a little money for a dowry and is now married with children.
“My life has really changed. Mining has really helped me.”
The swathe of golden scarred earth they mine is found in the sprawling, lush Masisi Hills of North Kivu province - around 60km (37 miles) north-west of the city of Goma - and holds 15% of the world’s coltan supply and half of the DR Congo’s total deposits.
Little wonder that global investors have their eyes on this area.
It has provided immense wealth over the years to the various armed groups that have overseen it at different times, including the army. Hassan Lali / BBC Overhead shot of mining activities at Rubaya mine where the terrain is hilly - slightly terraced. The bare earth is a light brown, some of it has a darker more orange shade. Many groups of miners can be seen from a distance cleaning ore. One corrugated metal shack can be seen. In the distance are green fields.Hassan Lali / BBC The Rubaya mine supervisor said no armed men were allowed at the vast site
We arrived at the mine, which is around 10km outside Rubaya town, several days after a ceasefire deal was signed in Washington by DR Congo and Rwanda as part of the peace process aimed at ending three decades of instability in the region.
The roots of the insecurity in the east of DR Congo are notoriously complicated.
There is an ethnic dimension, with many rebel groups operating here - including an ethnic Hutu militia linked to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which Kigali believes has Congolese backing.
In Washington both sides committed on 27 June to disarm and disengage their alleged proxies (despite denying having any).
The M23 was not party to the deal. Mainly led by ethnic Tutsis, it controls large parts of eastern DR Congo - and since January has taken control of Goma, the city of Bukavu and two airports. Rwanda has been accused by many — including the UN — of backing the M23. However, the authorities there deny sending military or financial aid.
The US’s involvement in the process seems to hinge on getting access to DR Congo’s mineral resources - though nothing has so far been specified.
“We’re getting for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the [DR] Congo,” said US President Donald Trump ahead of the signing. Hassan Lali / BBC Muddy workers are seen on a slope at Rubaya mine in DR Congo. One in green wellingtons, black jeans and T-shirt looks at the camera, another in a similar outfit is seen from the back as he walks with a sack on his shoulders. A group of women are seen a little further down the slope near some big basins and jerry cans.Hassan Lali / BBC Some women work at Rubaya mine site selling food and water to the miners
During our brief visit - we were allowed access for around 45 minutes - there was no hint that the chain of command was about to change.
The supervisor, appointed by the M23, was keen to explain how the set-up at Rubaya had been reor
Thanks that’s interesting. Thought they paywalled everyone but GB
just the US.
downvotes for truth, ok lemmy.
www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2vgkn7w10o
Got hit with paywall and cookies! Lol Can’t blame BBC for POTUS tariffs.
Upvoted for sharing.
An archived version, for anyone having access difficulties:
https://web.archive.org/web/20250713020638/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvj986l615o
In propaganda, the main thing is not to confuse militants with insurgents.