Congo Mine Should Remain Shut, U.N. Says

A uranium mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo should remain closed to safeguard miners from radiation exposure and mine collapses, the United Nations announced yesterday (see GSN, Oct. 25).

Eight people died in July when the Shinkolobwe mine partially collapsed in July, Reuters reported. The mine is likely to collapse further, according to inspectors.

“The situation in Shinkolobwe could be described as anarchistic — there is no respect for mining safety regulations,” U.N. investigator Bernard Lamouille, said in a statement.

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency were among those conducting the investigation requested by Congo officials (Reuters, Nov. 9).

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