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Sudan gold mine collapses kill dozens amid ongoing conflict
A series of deadly mining accidents in Sudan has highlighted the extreme dangers of the country's artisanal gold industry. In northern Sudan, a collapse at the Awny mining area near the Egyptian border killed at least 10 people and injured 21 workers.
This incident follows a major disaster in West Kordofan State, where a collapse at the al-Zaraa mine near en-Nahud resulted in at least 82 deaths, according to international reports. Other reports indicate varying death tolls in the region, with some sources citing between 40 and 67 fatalities due to unstable soil and heavy rains.
Gold has become a critical strategic resource amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While the formal economy has weakened, gold production has remained high, with the Sudanese government reporting 70 tonnes of production last year. The trade is under international scrutiny, as much of the gold is exported to the UAE, leading Sudan to bring accusations against the UAE to the International Court of Justice regarding the funding of the RSF.
Entities
International Court of Justice · Rapid Support Forces · Sudan · Sudanese Armed Forces · United Arab Emirates
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A gold mine collapse in the Awny mining area near the Egyptian border killed at least 10 people and injured 21. haitigazette.com · sahel-intelligence.com · www.aljazeera.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sudan recorded 70 tonnes of gold production last year. haitigazette.com · sahel-intelligence.com · www.aljazeera.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] International press, including the Washington Post, reported at least 82 people died in the West Kordofan mine collapse. www.courrierinternational.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Between 40 and 51 miners died in the collapse of three shafts at the Al-Ragig mining site in West Kordofan State. www.courrierinternational.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company announced a production level of 70 tonnes in 2025. sahel-intelligence.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sudan's gold production reached 64 tonnes in 2024, a 53 percent increase from the 41.8 tonnes recorded in 2022. haitigazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Sudan Tribune reported 67 deaths resulting from the mining accidents in the West Kordofan territory. www.courrierinternational.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A mine collapse in northeastern Sudan on September 19 killed at least 11 miners and injured 30 others. www.courrierinternational.com