Sudan: at least 60 miners killed in gold mine collapse

At least 60 artisanal miners have died in the collapse of a gold mine near En Nahud, in the West Kordofan state of Sudan. The toll reported on Wednesday, September 16, by several local sources remains provisional, as other workers are still missing.

The accident occurred at the Al-Zar’ mine, linked to the Al-Raqiq sites in the administrative unit of Fuja. Darfur24 reports that six adjacent shafts collapsed, burying dozens of workers.

Rescue operations have been hampered by the depth of the shafts and the lack of heavy equipment on site. Darfur24 indicates that there are six survivors, some of whom suffered fractures, while the fate of other miners remained unknown on Wednesday.

Reuters, citing local sources, confirms a death toll of at least 60 in this remote area of West Kordofan. Information gathered separately by AFP from survivors also reports at least 60 victims.

Artisanal gold mining plays a significant role in the Sudanese economy. According to sector data reported in January by Sudan Tribune, more than two million people are engaged in artisanal mining, which accounts for over 80% of the country’s gold production.

Fatal accidents are common at artisanal sites. In January, another gold mine collapse in Sudan killed 13 miners and injured six others in South Kordofan.

Following the January accident, the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company announced a program to secure abandoned shafts, including the closure of unstable sites and the improvement of technical standards applied to mining operations.