Dozens of people have been killed in Sudan when a gold mine collapsed in West Kordofan province, about 700 kilometers south of the capital Khartoum. At least 38 people have been killed, according to the AP news agency. Earlier, the director of the mining company spoke of 31 deaths. An unknown number of people were also injured.
The state mine was no longer in use. However, miners had returned to work after security guards left the site, the state-owned company states Facebook. The mining organization calls for the site to be secured again to prevent unregulated mining.
Export product
Gold is an important export product for Sudan. In 2020, the East African country produced nearly 37 tons of gold, making it one of Africa’s largest gold producers. Gold is often mined illegally and unsafely.
Gold smuggling is also a major problem in the country, although the transitional government has been trying to curb it since the fall of dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
However, that government is far from stable, partly because of a military blow in October, with Prime Minister Hamdok placed under house arrest. He is now back in his place, but he needs permission from the military for any appointment. Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets this month in protest against the military meddling.
–
