Sudan eyes on gold to boost economy
Sudan is eyeing on gold mining to boost the economy. The ruling Sovereign Council’s second in command, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo met with an emergency committee and mentioned the mining as a possible measure to address the country’s collapsing economy.
Sudan’s exports dropped 85% in January and prices for everything are quickly rising — one of the main sparks for the 2019 uprising that led the military to oust former president Omar al-Bashir. Hemeti announced an economic emergency committee to address the issues. He pointed out that to Sudan’s gold mining, which amounts to at least 50 tons per year is a potential solution. He further met with a number of gold miners who vowed to supply the central bank with gold.
Gold in Sudan
There are more than 40,000 gold mining sites in Sudan. About 60 gold processing companies are operating in 13 states of the country. The mining industry of Sudan was mostly driven by extraction fuel minerals, with petroleum accounting for a substantial contribution to the country’s economy, until the autonomous region of Southern Sudan became an independent country in July 2011. Gold, iron ore, and base metals are mined in the Hassai Gold Mine.
Chromite is another important mineral extracted from the Ingessana Hills. Other minerals extracted are gypsum, salt, and cement. Phosphate is found in Mount Kuoun and Mount Lauro in eastern Nuba. Reserves of zinc, lead, aluminium, cobalt, nickel in the form of block sulfides, and uranium are also established. Large reserves of iron ore have been established.
