What's happened
A series of mine collapses in West Kordofan, Sudan, have left dozens dead and many more missing. The Al-Zraa/Al-Zara mines near El-Nahud are under RSF control. Rescue efforts face equipment shortages and safety concerns amid informality in mining work.
What's behind the headline?
Contextual snapshot
- The mine disasters are concentrated in RSF-held areas, highlighting governance gaps and safety risks in informal mining.
- Reports indicate a lack of state presence and protective measures, elevating the danger to miners.
- International attention and humanitarian needs are rising as deaths and missing persons mount.
What to watch
- Whether rescue teams gain access to deeper shafts and whether heavy equipment is deployed.
- The pace of official response and safety reforms in informal mining sites.
Implications for readers
- If you live in RSF-controlled zones, mining safety and livelihoods are in flux; policy action could affect miners’ access to safety resources and income.
How we got here
The Al-Zara/Al-Zraa gold mines in West Kordofan have repeatedly collapsed in recent years. Most mining in the area is informal and unregulated, with thousands of workers relying on the mines for livelihoods after displacement from other work. The RSF controls parts of the area, complicating access for rescue services and oversight.
Our analysis
All Africa (Mon, 21 Sep 2026); All Africa (Fri, 18 Sep 2026); Arab News (Wed, 16 Sep 2026); Al Jazeera (Wed, 16 Sep 2026); France 24 (Wed, 16 Sep 2026); AP News (Wed, 16 Sep 2026); Arab News (Wed, 16 Sep 2026)
Go deeper
- Could rescue teams reach deeper shafts with better equipment?
- How will RSF control affect mining safety reforms?
- What safety measures are being discussed for informal mining communities nearby?
More on these topics
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Sudan - Country in North Africa
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
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Arab News - Saudi Arabian English-language daily newspaper
Arab News is an English-language daily newspaper published in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The target audiences of the paper, which is published in broadsheet format, are businesspeople, executives and diplomats. At least as of May 2019, Arab News was owned...
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West Kordofan - State of Sudan
West Kordofan (Arabic: غرب كردفان; Ġarb Kurdufān) is one of the 18 wilayat or provinces of Sudan. In 2006 it had an area of 111,373 km2 and an estimated population of approximately 1,320,405. Al-Fulah is the capital of the state. West Kordofan borders North Kordofan to the north, South Kordofan to the east, South Sudan to the south, East Darfur and North Darfur to the west. In August 2005, West Kordofan State was abolished and its territory divided between North and South Kordofan States, in implementation of the Protocol between the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on the resolution of conflict in Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States signed at Naivasha, Kenya, 26 May 2004. Section 2.1 of the protocol states that "The boundaries of Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State shall be the same boundaries of former Southern Kordofan Province when Greater Kordofan was sub-divided into two provinces." The protocol forms part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. Al Fulah presently has the status of second capital of South Kordofan State, and sessions of the state...