Latest news with #SMRC
Business Insider
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
War-ravaged Sudan sets new gold production record with $1.57 billion in exports
Despite the devastating impact of ongoing conflict, Sudan's gold production has surged to a record high of 64 tonnes, a remarkable 53% increase from 41.8 tonnes in 2022. Sudan's gold production reached a record high of 64 tonnes in 2023, a significant 53% increase compared to 2022. The growth generated $1.57 billion in legal export revenue, providing vital support to Sudan's struggling economy. Despite the increase, issues such as smuggling and insecurity hinder full economic benefits from gold production. According to the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC), this growth generated $1.57 billion in legal export revenue for the conflict-torn nation's struggling economy. SMRC director Mohamed Tahir Omer announced the figures during a media briefing in Cairo, Egypt. Notably, the surge comes amid the unending political rivalry between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has crippled the economy and displaced over 12.5 million people since April 2023. Gold has been a vital source of foreign exchange and economic lifeline for Sudan as it battles some of its highest levels of inflation in history. Omer highlighted the sector's growth, noting that workforce capacity has expanded from 5% to 40%. He emphasized the mining sector's potential, stating, "The mining sector has the ability to lead the country towards recovery and economic renaissance. ' The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company has also projected gold production of 37 tonnes in the first half of 2025, which is expected to bring in 403 billion Sudanese pounds in government revenue. Smuggling, insecurity undermine Sudan's gold gains However, the country's ability to benefit from its mineral wealth is being undermined by persistent smuggling and territorial insecurity. According to SMRC's director, 'nearly half of the state's production is smuggled across borders.' Key mining sites along the borders of South Sudan and the Central African Republic are currently under RSF control, further complicating government oversight and revenue collection. Estimates by international watchdogs such as Chatham House and Swissaid indicate that Sudan's actual gold production could reach up to 80 tonnes annually, with a market value exceeding $6 billion. However, a significant portion of this gold is believed to be traded illegally, with revenues allegedly fuelling both sides of the ongoing civil war; even as the country grapples with the world's largest internal displacement crisis. The stark contrast between official revenues and potential earnings underscores the structural challenges Sudan faces in leveraging its mineral resources for national recovery. With the economy in turmoil and humanitarian needs going unmet, the fight to control gold revenues has become a defining factor in the country's fragile political and economic future.
Khaleej Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE offers condolences to Sudan over gold mine collapse
UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the families of the victims and the Sudanese people. This comes after the collapse of a gold mine in the Howaid area, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured. The partial collapse of a traditional gold mine killed 11 miners and wounded seven others in Sudan's northeast, the state mining company said on Sunday. In a statement, the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC) said that the collapse occurred in an "artisanal shaft in the Kirsh al-Fil mine" in the remote desert area of Howaid, located between the cities of Atbara and Haiya in Sudan's northeastern Red Sea state. SMRC said it had previously suspended work in the mine and "warned against its continuing activity due to its posing great risk to life".
Canada Standard
30-06-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
Gold miners killed in pit collapse in war-torn Sudan
The state mining company had warned that operations at the site posed a high risk to life At least 11 miners have been killed and seven others injured in a partial gold mine collapse inwar-tornSudan's eastern Nile State, according to local officials. The incident occurred over the weekend at the Karsh al-Fil mine in the Houeid desert area, Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC), the state-owned mining corporation which is overseeing the project, said on Sunday. The injured have been hospitalized, SMRC noted in a statement issued after an emergency meeting was held in response to the collapse. The company added that it had previously halted excavation activities at the site and warned informal miners against continuing operations there due to the "high risk to lives." According to the latest World Gold Council data, Sudan ranks as Africa's fifth-largest gold producer, with a production volume of 73.8 tons in 2024. Roughly 85% of the country's output reportedly comes from artisanal mining. Gold mining accidents are common in the African state, particularly in remote desert regions where safety standards are allegedly minimal. In December 2021, at least 38 miners were killed when a disused mine collapsed in West Kordofan State, according to official reports. In April 2023, 14 died in a similar incident in Northern State. Sudan has been mired in a civil war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both groups have been accused of exploiting gold-rich regions to fund their operations. A report published by the Yale School of the Environment in March claims that gold smuggling and informal mining have increased in Sudan as a result of the ongoing armed conflict. The publication notes that threats of famine triggered by the fighting have pushed many civilians to engage in small-scale gold mining, where they risk their lives using toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide to extract the metal. (
Canada News.Net
30-06-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Gold miners killed in pit collapse in war-torn Sudan
The state mining company had warned that operations at the site posed a high risk to life At least 11 miners have been killed and seven others injured in a partial gold mine collapse inwar-tornSudan's eastern Nile State, according to local officials. The incident occurred over the weekend at the Karsh al-Fil mine in the Houeid desert area, Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC), the state-owned mining corporation which is overseeing the project, said on Sunday. The injured have been hospitalized, SMRC noted in a statement issued after an emergency meeting was held in response to the collapse. The company added that it had previously halted excavation activities at the site and warned informal miners against continuing operations there due to the "high risk to lives." According to the latest World Gold Council data, Sudan ranks as Africa's fifth-largest gold producer, with a production volume of 73.8 tons in 2024. Roughly 85% of the country's output reportedly comes from artisanal mining. Gold mining accidents are common in the African state, particularly in remote desert regions where safety standards are allegedly minimal. In December 2021, at least 38 miners were killed when a disused mine collapsed in West Kordofan State, according to official reports. In April 2023, 14 died in a similar incident in Northern State. Sudan has been mired in a civil war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both groups have been accused of exploiting gold-rich regions to fund their operations. A report published by the Yale School of the Environment in March claims that gold smuggling and informal mining have increased in Sudan as a result of the ongoing armed conflict. The publication notes that threats of famine triggered by the fighting have pushed many civilians to engage in small-scale gold mining, where they risk their lives using toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide to extract the metal.
Russia Today
30-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Gold miners killed in pit collapse in war-torn Sudan
At least 11 miners have been killed and seven others injured in a partial gold mine collapse in war-torn Sudan's eastern Nile State, according to local officials. The incident occurred over the weekend at the Karsh al-Fil mine in the Houeid desert area, Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC), the state-owned mining corporation which is overseeing the project, said on Sunday. The injured have been hospitalized, SMRC noted in a statement issued after an emergency meeting was held in response to the collapse. The company added that it had previously halted excavation activities at the site and warned informal miners against continuing operations there due to the 'high risk to lives.' According to the latest World Gold Council data, Sudan ranks as Africa's fifth-largest gold producer, with a production volume of 73.8 tons in 2024. Roughly 85% of the country's output reportedly comes from artisanal mining. Gold mining accidents are common in the African state, particularly in remote desert regions where safety standards are allegedly minimal. In December 2021, at least 38 miners were killed when a disused mine collapsed in West Kordofan State, according to official reports. In April 2023, 14 died in a similar incident in Northern State. Sudan has been mired in a civil war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both groups have been accused of exploiting gold-rich regions to fund their operations. A report published by the Yale School of the Environment in March claims that gold smuggling and informal mining have increased in Sudan as a result of the ongoing armed conflict. The publication notes that threats of famine triggered by the fighting have pushed many civilians to engage in small-scale gold mining, where they risk their lives using toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide to extract the metal.
