About 20 people were killed when a truck transporting acid to Mutanda Mining owned by Glencore in the Democratic Republic of Congo collided with two people carriers about 50km from the site.
The acid truck was heading to the copper and cobalt operation near Kolwezi in the southeast of the country.
Bloomberg quotes Samy Kayombo Mukanza, the health minister for Lualuba province, as saying that nine people were also injured.
“The acid was sprayed over people and vehicles,” Jean-Marie Tshizainga, mines minister for the province, said.
In an emailed statement to Mining Weekly Online, Glencore stated: "Glencore can confirm that Mutanda Mining (Mumi) assisted the local emergency services in a rescue operation when an acid truck collided with two people carriers about 50km from the site. The incident took place at around 6pm on 20th February. Tragically around 20 people lost their lives in the collision. The truck belonged to a third-party logistics company contracted by Mumi for the transport of sulphuric acid to site. Our condolences go to the families and friends of those that have been impacted by this devastating event. Mumi will continue to work with the logistics company and relevant government agencies, including the emergency services to provide support to them and to the local communities.”