Sudan gold mine collapse kills at least 60 miners

AI desk brief

At least 60 miners were killed after a collapse at the al-Zara gold mine in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, underscoring the fragility of artisanal production in one of Africa’s key gold-producing countries. More than 70 miners were reported dead or missing after adjoining shafts caved in, while rescue efforts were hampered by unstable ground and a lack of specialized equipment.

The incident also highlights the geopolitical importance of Sudanese gold: much of the country’s output comes from small-scale mining, is often smuggled, and has become a revenue source in the civil war, including for the Rapid Support Forces in West Kordofan. The EU recently tightened sanctions on Sudan’s gold sector, aiming to curb trade that funds the conflict.