Local authorities reported that a helicopter crash in southeastern Congo resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals. The incident occurred on Monday at noon when a helicopter, owned by a mining corporation, was en route from one mine to another.
The wreckage was discovered in a ravine located in the cobalt-rich province of Lualaba, according to Guy Sha Hemwa, a government official in the area. The exact cause of the crash is currently unknown and under investigation.
The victims were identified as subcontractors working for the Boss Mining company. Among them were the head of the G4S security company, a South African national, their Polish deputy, and the French pilot who operated the helicopter, as confirmed by Hemwa.
The bodies of the deceased have been transported to a nearby morgue in the city of Lubumbashi.
Congo, renowned for its abundant mineral resources, holds the title of the world’s largest cobalt producer, a crucial component in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Additionally, the country is Africa’s leading producer of copper and has recently discovered lithium deposits.
