A tragic accident in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo shocked everyone. On November 15, a temporary wooden bridge at a cobalt mine in Lualaba province collapsed, causing a large number of wildcats working inside to fall down. This accident was so terrible that many bodies were not even visible inside the mine.

According to officials, 32 bodies have been recovered and the rescue team is continuously searching for more people. Due to rain, the mine was already submerged in water, hence it is becoming very difficult to rescue the miners trapped under the debris. Provincial Home Minister Roy Kaumba Mayonde said the death toll could rise further as many people were still unaccounted for.

BREAKING: 32+ DEAD AFTER MINE BRIDGE COLLAPSES IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Southeastern DRC, A bridge at the Kalando mine in Mulondo, Lualaba province, gave way Saturday under a panicked crowd of illegal diggers, killing at least 32, with bodies reportedly piled on each… https://t.co/nzOjtppU5T pic.twitter.com/PMrYLOiZ5G

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 17, 2025

Despite the ban, thousands of illegal miners had entered the mine

After heavy rains, the risk of landslides and floods had increased, so the administration had imposed a temporary ban on entry into the mine. Despite this, a large number of people entered the mine. Suddenly the crowd on the wooden bridge built over a ditch filled with water increased and due to not being able to withstand the pressure, the bridge broke from the middle. In the sudden accident, people started falling on each other and many people died. According to local officials, there was an atmosphere of chaos at the spot and a stampede-like situation was created.

Old conflict going on with China backed company

Government agency SAEMAPE said that this mine has long been the center of tension between illegal miners and the China-backed company working there. Illegal miners are often afraid of the presence of soldiers deployed around the mines and sometimes even protest. Even on the day of the accident, the restlessness among the miners had increased after seeing the soldiers nearby, due to which the crowd suddenly climbed the bridge together.

Pictures exposed the horrific situation

The horror of the incident was clearly visible in the video and photographs. Miners were seen pulling out bodies from the water-filled pit, while several dead bodies were seen lying on the ground nearby. The photographs also revealed that about ten thousand wildcat miners were working in the mine without any safety equipment.

Center of cobalt production, but the industry is surrounded by controversies

Congo is today the world’s largest cobalt producing country and approximately seventy percent of the global production comes from here alone. Cobalt plays an important role in batteries of electric vehicles, mobile phones and laptops, hence its global demand is high.

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India-Africa: India has given a befitting reply to China’s efforts to capture the rare mineral wealth of Africa. According to the Center for Social Economic Progress (CSEP) report, India has increased its investment rapidly in African countries. Research states that India is strengthening its relations with African countries to combat China’s aggressive geopolitical strategy to effectively use rare mineral resources. The main objective of ‘Mission Africa’ of India is to reach out to important minerals like copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt.

According to the report, by 2030, the demand for important minerals in India is likely to increase four times. Currently, India has about 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore available, which can meet domestic needs for some time. However, it will take time to fully use these resources, which can challenge India’s self -sufficient campaign.

There are two options in front of India

There are two main options in front of India. First, mining of mineral wealth available in the country should be promoted rapidly, so that self -reliance can increase. Second, relations with countries should be strengthened where these rare minerals are abundant, such as Australia, Africa and Latin America.

According to the report, India is increasing rapid cooperation with these countries so that there is no problem of supply chains in future. The rapidly increasing its presence in African countries has increased China’s concerns. China also wants to establish its domination in Africa, but due to its rigorous debt policy, the African countries have become alert. India is getting direct benefit of this situation, because the African countries are giving priority to cooperation with India instead of China.

This was said in NCMM report

The National Important Mineral Mission (NCMM) report announced in January 2025 has emphasized on ensuring supply of important minerals from abroad. In the report, the Government of India recommends establishing a close relationship with these countries. This includes providing subsidy for the deployment of the Indian Geological Survey for Mapping Surveys, the development of mining and withdrawal related to mining and withdrawal and identifying potential new opportunities.

According to the report, India has rapidly strengthened its relations with African countries. New Delhi has now joined the top five countries investing in African countries. These five countries have invested around $ 75 billion in the African region, of which India also has significant participation. Apart from this, India is also getting diplomatic and commercial benefit from the presence of about 3 million Indian origin in Africa.

Trade reached $ 100 billion

In the financial year 2022-23, bilateral trade between India and African countries reached $ 100 billion. India provides the facility of duty free tariff to 27 African countries, which also gives India the benefit of duty free tariffs in these countries. Apart from this, India has opened 16 new missions in African countries, due to which the total number of Indian missions there has increased to 46.

India’s top diplomats are constantly traveling to African countries to further strengthen political relations. The report states that the biggest feature of India’s participation is that it adopts a comprehensive view for the development of African countries. According to CSEP’s research report, India has finalized 206 projects in 43 African countries. Under these projects, India has provided a concessional loan of more than $ 12.3 billion to African countries. Apart from this, India has also given a grant of $ 700 million for capacity building in African countries since 1949.

India will benefit

The positive result of these strategic efforts of India has been that now it has started getting rare mineral wealth from African countries. 30% of the important minerals discovered globally have been found in African countries. India has entered into cooperation agreements in both non-renovated and renewable energy sectors, strengthening energy partnership with these countries.

According to the 2023 report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the total value of mining and mineral trade between India and Africa has reached $ 43 billion since 2001. Recently, the Government of India has announced that it is planning to acquire important mineral resources in African countries like Congo, Tanzania and Mozambic. Apart from this, India has also secured 9,000 square kilometers of greenfield land for exploration of copper and cobalt in Zambia. This is considered to be an important diplomatic success of India, and more successful results can be seen in the coming times.