Sudan Gold Mine Collapse Claims 10 Lives
The Awny gold mine collapse in northern Sudan killed at least ten workers and left 21 injured, raising concerns over the safety of informal mining operations in a country ravaged by conflict and economic collapse. The incident follows a deadly collapse at al‑Zaraa mine that killed 82, underscoring…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Sunday, a sudden collapse at the Awny gold mine near Sudan’s border with Egypt left at least ten miners dead and 21 injured, according to survivors who were rescued by local teams. The disaster, which unfolded in a remote artisanal mining area, has reignited criticism of the hazardous conditions that plague Sudan’s largely unregulated gold sector.
Background: A War‑Torn Economy and a Booming Gold Market
Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country’s formal economy has collapsed. Agriculture has been disrupted, businesses shuttered, and millions displaced. In this vacuum, gold has become a lifeline for many Sudanese, offering a quick return on a small investment of labor and raw materials.
Sudan is Africa’s fifth‑largest gold producer, with 70 tonnes of output last year. Local reports in July 2025 noted a sharp rise in production, reaching 64 tonnes in 2024—53 percent higher than the 41.8 tonnes recorded in 2022—while legal export revenues climbed to $1.57 billion. Yet most of this gold is funneled through informal channels, with a significant portion smuggled out of the country rather than passing through state‑controlled export routes.
Previous Tragedies Highlight Systemic Hazards
The Awny collapse follows a devastating incident at the al‑Zaraa mine near en‑Nahud in West Kordofan State, where a collapse killed at least 82 workers. Both incidents illustrate the perilous nature of artisanal mining in Sudan, where safety protocols, modern equipment, and regulatory oversight are largely absent.
Experts point to a combination of factors: the lack of formal regulation, the use of open‑fire smelting techniques, and the absence of protective gear. A senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, Joseph Tucker, notes that “most of these mines are informal, artisanal operations in remote areas that lack modern mining technology, adequate infrastructure, and specialised safety equipment.”
Political and Economic Context: Gold, Conflict, and International Scrutiny
Gold has also become a focal point of international diplomacy. In March 2025, Sudan took the United Arab Emirates to the International Court of Justice, accusing the UAE of supporting the RSF with gold. The UAE denied these allegations. Meanwhile, Sudan’s main port, Port Sudan, remains under army control, while RSF‑controlled regions also host significant gold deposits.
Economic devastation has made gold mining an attractive, albeit dangerous, option for many. The Sudanese pound has plummeted from roughly 570 to 3,500 pounds per U.S. dollar between 2023 and 2026, causing food inflation and driving up transportation costs. The United Nations Development Programme estimates that Sudan lost $6.4 billion of GDP in 2023 alone—a quarter of the country’s $26 billion output.
Government Response and the Path Forward
In response to the growing crisis, Prime Minister Kamil Idris met with the minister of minerals to discuss regulatory reforms for traditional mining and market control. French‑based Sudanese media reported that authorities are calling for swift action to address environmental damage and public health hazards caused by mining activities nationwide.
Despite these calls, the state’s capacity to enforce new regulations remains limited. The war has weakened institutional structures, and the informal nature of most mining operations makes oversight difficult. Until the economy stabilises and regulatory frameworks are strengthened, the risk of further tragedies remains high.
What Happens Next?
Search teams continue to comb the rubble at Awny, hoping to locate any trapped miners. Meanwhile, the government faces mounting pressure from international bodies and civil society to tighten safety standards and crack down on illegal mining practices. The broader question remains: how can Sudan balance the economic benefits of gold extraction with the urgent need to protect workers and preserve the environment?
As the nation grapples with conflict, inflation, and a fractured economy, the gold mine collapse serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked exploitation in a war‑torn landscape.
Key facts
- Awny mine collapse killed 10, injured 21
- Sudan’s gold sector is largely unregulated and hazardous
- Previous al‑Zaraa collapse killed 82 workers
- Gold exports largely smuggled, bypassing state revenue
- Economic collapse drives people to risky mining jobs
- Government calls for stricter safety regulations
Why it matters
The collapse underscores the deadly risks of Sudan’s informal gold mining sector, a lifeline for many amid economic collapse, and highlights the urgent need for regulatory reform and safer working conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Why is gold mining so dangerous in Sudan?
Most Sudanese gold mines are informal, artisanal operations lacking modern equipment, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight, making them prone to collapses and other hazards.
What is the economic impact of gold mining in Sudan?
Gold remains a significant source of income for many Sudanese, with legal exports generating billions, but much of the gold is smuggled, limiting state revenue.
How is the Sudanese government responding?
The government has met with mining officials to discuss regulation and has called for swift action to address environmental and health hazards, but enforcement remains weak.
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “‘Deadly hazards’: Behind Sudan gold mine collapse, a wartime desperation”
