Rhino: Agencies – Local sources in Sudan reported that at least 60 people were killed in a gold mine collapse in a remote area of West Kordofan state. The ongoing war in Sudan has inflicted severe damage on the already fragile economy, and a large number of Sudanese have lost their jobs, prompting many to engage in dangerous gold mining operations.

At least 60 workers were killed when a gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan State in Sudan, while many others remain missing and are feared dead under the rubble.

The accident occurred Tuesday at the Al-Zara’ mine near the city of Al-Nahud in the southern state, and by Wednesday morning, rescue workers had recovered 60 bodies.

One of the survivors, Khair al-Sayyid Jabara, told Agence France-Presse, “We don’t know how many are still inside (…) People are trying to pull out the bodies or the survivors, but the situation is difficult. We need heavy machinery to lift the rocks and dirt.”

Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces, both sides have relied heavily on the gold sector to finance their war efforts, in addition to support from external parties.

Mining in Informal Areas

The conflict has inflicted significant damage on Sudan’s already fragile economy, and a large number of Sudanese have lost their jobs, prompting many to engage in dangerous gold mining operations.

Manual mining takes place in informal areas or in abandoned mines. Al-Amin Suleiman, a worker at the mine, said, “The pits in the area are close together, and the collapse of any one pit leads to the collapse of the ones next to it—and that’s what happened.” He added, “So far, 60 bodies have been recovered, but there are people who have been trapped underground since yesterday, and I don’t think they’re alive”.