Sudan mining disaster: 15 workers killed in collapsed gold mine
A devastating gold mine collapse in northern Sudan has left at least 15 workers dead and another injured, exposing the perilous reality of the country’s booming, informal gold rush.
The tragedy occurred at the Mohamed Tawfiq mine, located in the remote Samna area of the Wadi Halfa district, according to a statement from the state-run Sudanese Mineral Resources Company, News.Az reports, citing Anadolu Agency.
However, official findings reveal this loss of life could have been prevented. Preliminary investigations show that the miners had secretly entered the site despite it being explicitly shut down by safety regulators. The company’s Environment and Safety Department had previously closed the mine and posted clear warnings after technical assessments flagged the area as highly unstable and at extreme risk of a cave-in.
Local rescue teams and field workers managed to recover the bodies of the victims and transport the sole injured survivor to a hospital.
The incident highlights the immense dangers of Sudan’s artisanal mining sector. Driven by economic necessity, more than 2 million people work in these unregulated, often harsh environments. Since Sudan lost three-quarters of its oil revenue following the secession of South Sudan in 2011, gold has skyrocketed to become the nation’s primary source of foreign currency—accounting for roughly 80% of its total gold production, despite the high cost to human life.