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[INTERNATIONAL] · Sudan · 47 sources

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Sudan gold mine collapse kills dozens in West Kordofan

A series of adjoining mining shafts collapsed at the al-Zara gold mine in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, resulting in a significant loss of life. While death toll estimates vary, the Kordofan Observatory reported that at least 70 miners are dead or missing, and the Sudan Doctors Network confirmed at least 67 deaths and 55 injuries.

Rescue efforts are being conducted by local residents using rudimentary tools, as specialized rescue teams and heavy machinery have not yet arrived at the remote site. The difficulty of the operation is compounded by the depth of the shafts, which exceed 30 meters, and the unstable, sandy soil. Survivors have indicated that many workers remain trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred in an area currently controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The disaster highlights the extreme risks associated with artisanal and small-scale mining in Sudan, which accounts for approximately 91.5% of the country's declared gold production in 2024. Medical groups have condemned the lack of basic safety safeguards and the negligence that puts civilian lives at risk in these unregulated mining operations.

Entities

Al-Nuhud · Al-Zara mine · Al-Zar’a mine · Kordofan Observatory · Rapid Support Forces · Sudan · Sudan Doctors Network · Sudanese Armed Forces · Sudanese army · United Nations · West Kordofan

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