Lualaba official Roy Kaumba Mayonde said the incident occurred on Saturday at the Kalando mine, where unauthorized artisanal miners had entered the concession despite a ban.
According to the government mining agency SAEMAPE, military personnel guarding the site allegedly fired shots, triggering panic among the miners, who rushed across a wooden bridge that had been erected by the miners themselves. The unstable structure gave way under the weight of the crowd, causing the fatalities.
The military has not commented on the allegation.
Mayonde described the incident as “tragic,” noting that mining companies frequently face incursions by informal miners attempting to access restricted concessions.
Images circulated on social media appeared to show the bodies of miners at the site, though authorities have not yet authenticated the footage.
The government urged artisanal miners to enroll in alternative livelihood programs, including agribusiness training, to prevent future tragedies.
DR Congo is the world’s largest supplier of cobalt, a key component in electric vehicle batteries, as well as defence and aerospace industries. Its artisanal mining sector, which employs an estimated 1.5–2 million people, has long faced concerns over hazardous working conditions, child labor, and human rights abuses.