Gold mine in Sudan collapses claims 11 lives
A fatal collapse has occurred at an informal gold mining site in Sudan’s River Nile State. According to a report released by the state-run Sudanese Mineral Resources Company, the accident the accident which took place at the Karsh Al-Fil site, situated in a remote desert stretch between Atbara and Hayya, has left at least 11 miners dead and seven others.
Although initial media accounts indicated up to 50 fatalities and reported that some individuals remained trapped, the company’s updated figures are based on a field investigation carried out jointly with local authorities.
Gold industry
Officials confirmed that the site had previously been shut down due to significant safety risks. In response to the latest incident, the company convened an emergency meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to overseeing traditional mining operations and promoting better safety practices. It also called on miners to adhere to established safety protocols.
Sudan has seen a sharp rise in unregulated gold mining, particularly after conflict broke out in April 2023. Today, over two million people are engaged in artisanal mining, which now contributes approximately 80% of the country’s total gold output. However, the lack of safety measures has made fatal accidents a regular occurrence in the sector, despite the collection of fees by local authorities.
