The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

At least 43 dead in Congo mine of Glencore subsidiary

Man mining in the DRC
This image of a mine in the DRC was not taken at the KCC mine Keystone

At least 43 people were killed on Thursday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when two galleries collapsed in a mine run by the Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a subsidiary of Swiss-based commodity trader and miner Glencore. 

The figure of 43 victims was given on Friday by the governor of the province of Lualaba. Sources at the Red Cross and civil society talked about 60-80 deaths.

Glencore had said in a statementExternal link on Thursday that 19 people had died “with possible further unconfirmed fatalities”. 

“The illegal artisanal miners were working two galleries in benches overlooking the extraction area. Two of these galleries caved in. These incidents were not linked to KCC operations or activities. KCC is currently engaged in assisting search and rescue operations with the local authorities,” Glencore said. 

“KCC urges all illegal miners to cease from putting their lives at risk by trespassing on a major industrial site. KCC is doing what it can to inform the communities of the dangers associated with illegal trespassing on major industrial concessions.” 

In the statement, Glencore said KCC had observed a growing presence of illegal artisanal miners throughout its industrial mining concessions in the Kolwezi area. 

“This has led to daily intrusions onto its concession by on average 2,000 illegal artisanal miners per day. This has presented a significant risk to its employees, operating equipment and the illegal artisanal miners themselves.”


More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day

More

Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day

This content was published on On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.

Read more: Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
Industry calls for "lean implementation" of the EU treaty package

More

Swiss industry backs EU treaty package

This content was published on The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.

Read more: Swiss industry backs EU treaty package
A bull still on the prowl above St-Aubin (NE)

More

Raging bull found in western Switzerland

This content was published on A 600kg bull that escaped in the Montalchez region of canton Neuchâtel has been found in a pen surrounded by several cows.

Read more: Raging bull found in western Switzerland
Bern chatbot wins the UN AI Award

More

Bern chatbot wins UN artificial intelligence award

This content was published on The Bern-based chatbot "Sophia" has won the United Nations' "AI for Good Impact Award 2025". The chatbot is designed to help victims of domestic violence.

Read more: Bern chatbot wins UN artificial intelligence award

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR