Gold mine collapse in South Sudan kills 13, injures 6
A partial collapse at a gold mine in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to six others, as reported by the state mining company on Wed, Oct 11, 2023.
A partial collapse at a gold mine in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to six others, as reported by the state mining company on Wed, Oct 11, 2023.
The incident occurred on Fri, Oct 6, 2023, at five abandoned shafts in the Umm Fakroun mine located in South Kordofan, according to the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC).
Since the onset of conflict in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, the gold industry has been a significant source of funding for both parties involved in the conflict, alongside foreign support. Despite the ongoing conflict, Sudan's gold production reached 70 tonnes in 2025, marking the highest output in five years. However, a considerable portion of the gold is smuggled into neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt before entering global markets, including the United Arab Emirates. Only 20 tonnes were officially exported in the previous year, according to Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim.
A partial collapse at a gold mine in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to six others, as reported by the state mining company on Wed, Oct 11, 2023.
Sudan ranks as a leading gold producer in Africa, with most mining operations being small-scale and artisanal, similar to those in Umm Fakroun. These mining activities often lack adequate safety measures and rely on hazardous chemicals, which contribute to widespread health issues. Prior to the conflict, artisanal gold mining employed over two million people. The ongoing war has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of approximately 11 million individuals, pushing 25 million Sudanese into severe food insecurity.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
