At least 60 killed in gold mine collapse in Sudan’s West Kordofan
Gold mining is a key source of revenue for the paramilitary RSF, who control the state
At least 60 people lost their lives when a gold mine collapsed in Sudan's West Kordofan state on Sunday, according to three local sources who spoke to Reuters. The Kordofan Observatory monitoring group reported that over 70 artisanal miners were either dead or missing after multiple mining shafts at the al-Zara mine in the Fouja area, northwest of al-Nuhud, collapsed.
A survivor emerged on Tuesday, claiming that others were still alive beneath the ground. However, no specialized rescue teams had been deployed, and the fragile sandy terrain was making rescue efforts using basic tools extremely difficult. The sources told Reuters that the high death toll at the remote site can be attributed to the absence of safety procedures and rescue equipment.
Sudan is one of Africa's largest gold producers, with the majority of its gold extracted through dangerous artisanal mining methods and then smuggled out of the country. Gold mining plays a crucial role in generating revenue for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who exert control over the state.
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