Sudan gold mine collapse kills at least 11 in Red Sea State

gold mine collapse Sudan civil war artisanal mining Red Sea State Rapid Support Forces

A gold mine shaft collapse in the remote Oni area of Sudan’s Red Sea State has killed at least 11 miners and injured 30 others, according to state officials. The incident, which began late Saturday night, marks the second major mining disaster in the country within a single week.

Just days prior, a series of collapses in the West Kordofan region killed at least 82 people. These accidents highlight the extreme dangers of Sudan’s vast informal and artisanal mining sector, where thousands of workers operate with minimal safety oversight and rudimentary tools.

The frequent mining disasters occur against the backdrop of a violent civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in April 2023. The conflict has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths and has driven millions into food insecurity. Both warring factions rely heavily on the country’s gold trade to fund their military operations, with experts noting that significant quantities of gold are smuggled out of the country to finance the RSF.

Entities

Al-Zar’ah mine · Rapid Support Forces · Red Sea State · Sudan · Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North · Sudanese Mineral Resources Co. · Sudanese army · United Arab Emirates · West Kordofan · West Kordofan State

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths. atento.com.do · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.aajtak.in · www.indiatv.in · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Gold is being smuggled out of Sudan to finance the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). atento.com.do · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.indiatv.in · www.newsday.com
[DISPUTED] The Red Sea State Ministry of Health confirmed 10 deaths and 21 injuries from the Oni El Dakkan mine collapse. elnuevodiario.com.do
[DISPUTED] A gold mine shaft collapse in northeastern Sudan killed at least 11 people and injured 30. atento.com.do · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.ertnews.gr · www.winnipegfreepress.com · +4 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] A separate mine collapse in the Fuga area of West Kordofan killed at least 83 people. www.radiotamazuj.org
[● 3 SOURCES] Sudan's gold production reached a five-year high of 70 tonnes last year. www.newindianexpress.com · mail.livehod.com · bhaskarlive.in
[DISPUTED] Survivors reported a death toll of 10 and 21 injuries at the Awny mining area. newscentraltv.com · www.newarab.com · www.newindianexpress.com · mail.livehod.com · bhaskarlive.in
[● 9 SOURCES] The state-owned Sudanese Mineral Resources Co. confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies and the rescue of 30 people. atento.com.do · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.ertnews.gr · www.winnipegfreepress.com · +4 more