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Kolwezi – Mining pollution: 4 cases of nosebleeds in Dilungu
Denise Maheho February 17, 2026 News,The front page,Mines,Health
The Dilungu neighborhood in Kolwezi continues to face what it describes as mining pollution, allegedly caused by the activities of Ruashi Mining. Four cases of nosebleeds in children have been reported by the IBGDH (Institute for Biodiversity and Human Rights). Residents of this area of Kolwezi feel powerless in the face of their deteriorating health.
The latest case of nosebleeds was reported on Saturday, February 14th. A child around ten years old initially experienced breathing difficulties. Her family lives less than 500 meters from the Ruashi Mining plant, a Chinese company. The girl then began bleeding profusely from the nose. According to her father, Alexandre Korika, his daughter's health is deteriorating due to pollution from the Ruashi Mining plant.
“ All three of my children, aged 3, 6, and 10, have nosebleeds. We had never seen this with them before. However, since the Ruashi mining plant became operational, it emits smoke that hurts the eyes and throat.”
Alexandre Korika also indicated that the 10-year-old girl's health is more worrying. " At night, we stay up to watch over her. This morning, we took her to the hospital for further examinations." This parent has even decided to send the child to a family far from the Ruashi mining site in order to protect her.
Reports indicate that other cases have been recorded in the area surrounding the Mutoshi mine. Children under ten years old are the most affected, suffering from repeated nosebleeds. Indeed, for the past three months, residents of neighborhoods near Ruashi Mining have been complaining about poor air quality.
Commissions of inquiry for results that are still pending
In recent months, residents living near the Ruashi Mining plant in Mutoshi have repeatedly raised concerns about air pollution. They even sent a letter to provincial authorities describing their ordeal. These complaints have also been echoed by civil society organizations in Kolwezi, including the IBGDH.
Consequently, the Lualaba provincial government, in partnership with Ruashi Mining, has established a commission of inquiry into this case of mining pollution. Ruashi Mining is standing by the findings of this investigation, according to Freddy Mande, communications officer.
“A joint commission has been dispatched to the site to investigate the situation. It will collect samples. The conclusions and recommendations resulting from this process will determine whether the accusations made by the Dilungu community are confirmed or refuted .”
Furthermore, another commission of inquiry was established by the Minister of the Environment during her recent mission to Kolwezi. To date, neither commission has made its findings public. Families affected by this alleged mining pollution are expressing their deep concern about the health emergency.
State failure?
The NGO IBGD deplores the state's impotence in the face of human rights violations. It further denounces " a culpable passivity towards a multinational corporation that seems to ignore the most basic environmental standards."
This organization calls for the immediate suspension of mining operations by Ruashi Mining. This decision must remain in effect until genuine and effective measures are implemented to protect the population. The IBGDH also calls for an independent medical assessment to evaluate the true impact of Ruashi Mining's mining activities on the health of Dilungu's residents.
https://magazinelaguardia.info/2026...iniere-4-cas-de-saignements-du-nez-a-dilungu/
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DRC: Nosebleeds reported in Kolwezi, Ruashi Mining suspected of being the cause
Kolwezi, the world's cobalt capital, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)... Residents of the Dilungu neighborhood, in the north of the city, still live under the control of Ruashi Mining, a company belonging to the Chinese Jinchuan group. Four cases of nosebleeds have just been recorded in this neighborhood, where residents are already complaining about air pollution.
Published on:22/02/2026 - 19:23
Modified on:22/02/2026 - 19:25
By : RFI
With our correspondent in Lubumbashi, Denise Maheho
This community accuses the Ruashi Mining company of being responsible for their deteriorating health. So far, the company has not responded to these new accusations. Ruashi Mining's mining project in Kolwezi is based on a deposit of more than 31 million tons of copper and cobalt.
Of the four cases of nosebleeds in the Dilungu district of Kolwezi, three children are from the same family. Aged 3, 6 and 10, they live directly opposite the Ruashi Mining company factory.
Alexandre Koraki, their father, is very worried: " Especially the 10-year-old, he's bleeding too much. At night we have to stay up to monitor his bleeding. In fact, as I speak to you, he's in the hospital ."
" It's related to the activities of Ruashi Mining ."
In this neighborhood, breathing becomes a nightmare, especially in the evening. The factory chimney emits smoke that pollutes the air, explains Alexandre Koraki: " First, the children complained of itchy eyes, then eye pain. Now, it's the bleeding that worries us. It's linked to the activities of Ruashi Mining ."
The NGO IBGDH is once again raising the alarm about the health emergency in Dilungu. According to its director, Donat Kambola, " it is crucial that the provincial or national government take urgent measures to suspend activities related to the factory and the mine, as these are the root cause of the pollution and public danger. "
In Kolwezi, the results of the Lualaba provincial government's commission of inquiry into this matter are still pending.
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20260...-de-la-société-ruashi-mining-pointée-du-doigt