Worker killed and five injured in rockfall at Egypt's Sukari gold mine

A worker at Egypt's Sukari gold mine has been killed and five others injured in a rockfall, according to the country's largest and one of Africa's biggest mines. The deceased worker, identified as Abdel Rahman Nabil Mahmoud, worked for Sukari Gold Mines Company, a joint venture between the Egyptian government and AngloGold Ashanti.

The five injured miners were taken to a hospital in Marsa Alam, about 30 kilometers north-east of the mine, where their conditions were reported as stable. Egypt's Petroleum Minister ordered an investigation into the accident, with the aim of determining its cause and reviewing safety procedures at the site. Underground work in the affected area has been halted pending the committee's findings and the confirmation of safety standards.

Sukari gold mine, located in Egypt's arid Eastern Desert, is the nation's first and only large-scale modern gold mine. Operated by Sukari Gold Mining Company since its commercial production began in 2010, the mine has produced over six million ounces of gold and generated significant revenue for the Egyptian state. In 2025, the mine reached a record 500,000 ounces, worth $612 million.

The site contributes to the majority of Egypt's gold production, with a life extension to 2034 under a 30-year concession. AngloGold Ashanti, which acquired the mine in 2024, holds exploration licenses in the Eastern Desert to expand its footprint in a world-renowned gold province. Fatal accidents at Sukari are uncommon, with no fatalities reported at the site during AngloGold Ashanti's first full year of operation.