At least 82 people have lost their lives as a result of the collapse of an informal gold mine in the West Kordofan state of Sudan. This incident has highlighted some of the dangerous situations that are involved in artisanal mining in light of the ongoing war in the country. The accident occurred in the al-Zara gold mines close to the town of al-Nuhud, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This is yet another example of how hazardous the informal gold mining industry of Sudan can be.
What Has Happened at the Gold Mine?
The accident took place on Sunday in the al-Zara mine in the region of West Kordofan. The collapse started spreading from one shaft into adjacent shafts underground, burying miners under unstable ground.
The number of deaths has increased since the bodies of those trapped inside were discovered. At first, Reuters stated that there were at least 60 deaths. Later, on September 16, the Associated Press reported the death toll of 82, with miners still missing.
The process of rescue has been highly complicated due to insufficient equipment. As stated by the Associated Press, the rescue team was provided with limited machinery to be able to reach those who were trapped underneath more than 30 meters of earth.
The Significance of Gold in Sudan’s War Economy
Gold has taken on significance for Sudan due to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since April 2023.
A panel of the UN Security Council has stated that gold provides income for the conflicting parties within the country. More than half of the gold produced in the country is believed to be exported via informal channels and without proper taxation. The artisanal gold mining sector was thought to produce about 30% of the total gold output of Sudan according to the UN panel.
The war has increased fragmentation in the management of gold mining sites, trade, and transportation routes.
The RSF’s Control and the Gold Mining Sector
The RSF holds large swaths of territory in Darfur and parts of Kordofan, some of which are gold-mining sites. But gold is not solely controlled by the RSF: Sudan has many regions rich in gold and features various armed groups and business communities working within the industry.
Gold-smuggling operations connected with armed groups have been documented by the UN investigations.
Gold mined from Sudan has also been traded historically through regional trade hubs such as the United Arab Emirates. The UN has been reporting instances where smuggling of gold took place through the UAE and other neighboring countries, albeit in different quantities and destinations.
Linkage Between Gold and the Broader Conflict
The significance of gold is not limited to those communities involved in mining. Money earned through controlling natural resources could assist armed factions acquire their requirements to continue their military operations.
According to the UN, Sudan’s broader “war economy” has been contributing to sustaining the conflict, with armed actors utilizing territory, trade routes, and commodities to earn money.
Moreover, allegations related to external military support for the factions involved in fighting in Sudan have been heightened. A UN fact-finding report found that military assistance, including weapons, technology, and personnel, has enabled both sides to launch more sophisticated attacks. Countries blamed for assisting specific factions have rejected these claims.
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