What's happened
A partial collapse in a Sudanese gold mine has killed 13 miners and injured six others. The incident occurred in abandoned shafts in South Kordofan amid ongoing conflict that fuels illegal mining and smuggling. Authorities face calls for improved safety standards and accountability.
What's behind the headline?
The recent mine collapse underscores the perilous state of Sudan's artisanal mining sector, which is largely unregulated and hazardous. The conflict has exacerbated this situation, with miners risking their lives in abandoned shafts to sustain livelihoods amid economic collapse. The government’s failure to enforce safety standards and regulate illegal mining has directly contributed to these tragedies. The international dimension, notably smuggling routes through Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, and the UAE, complicates efforts to improve safety and transparency. This incident is likely to intensify calls for stricter oversight and accountability, but meaningful reform remains elusive without political stability. The ongoing conflict ensures that artisanal mining will continue to be a dangerous, unregulated activity, with future accidents almost certain unless comprehensive safety measures are implemented.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that the recent collapse in South Kordofan killed 13 miners and injured six, occurring in abandoned shafts amid ongoing conflict. The article highlights Sudan's reliance on gold for funding both sides of the civil war, with much of the trade smuggled through neighboring countries and the UAE. Meanwhile, All Africa details the Sudanese Doctors Network's call for urgent rescue and safety reforms following multiple recent mining accidents, criticizing government oversight and enforcement failures. Both sources emphasize the dangerous conditions in artisanal mining and the need for accountability, with The New Arab noting that official exports are only a fraction of total gold production, much of which is smuggled. The coverage illustrates a pattern of neglect and the deadly consequences of unregulated mining in a country torn by conflict.
How we got here
Sudan's civil war since April 2023 has heavily impacted its economy, with gold becoming a key revenue source for both sides. Despite increased production, safety oversight remains weak, especially in artisanal and illegal mines, which lack proper safety measures and chemical controls. The conflict has also driven a surge in smuggling through neighboring countries and the UAE.
Go deeper
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South Kordofan is one of the 18 wilayat or states of Sudan. It has an area of 158,355 km² and an estimated population of approximately 1,100,000 people. Kaduqli is the capital of the state. It is centered on the Nuba Hills.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe