The recent collapse of a gold mine in a remote area of Sudan has resulted in the deaths of at least 67 individuals, as reported by survivors and a medical organisation. This tragic incident occurred at the al-Zara gold mine in Nuhud, located in West Kordofan province, an area under the control of the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF has been in ongoing conflict with the Sudanese military for over three years, contributing to the country’s ongoing instability. According to the Sudan Doctors Network, which monitors health conditions amidst the war, the number of casualties is likely to increase as rescue operations continue. The mine is characterised as an informal site that employs unregulated workers and notably lacks essential safety protocols.

A local official, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on media communication, indicated that 82 bodies had been retrieved from the site, with many more individuals still unaccounted for. The incident reportedly began on Sunday in one of the shafts before spreading to interconnected areas of the mine. Rescue operations have faced significant delays, largely due to limited resources, including only one privately owned forklift available for lifting debris.

Survivors Share Their Experiences

Survivors of the disaster have described the collapse as massive, indicating the scale of the tragedy. Khairal-Sayed Gabara, one survivor, expressed concerns about the lack of appropriate machinery needed to clear the rubble. He stated, “We do not have the machinery to lift dirt and stones and search for survivors at depths of more than 30 metres.”

Gabara reported that many workers were present in the mine during the collapse. Another survivor, Al-Amin Suliman, reported that by Wednesday morning, 60 bodies had been recovered, but additional individuals remained trapped. His statements further underscore the perilous conditions faced by those working in informal mining operations across the country.

Mine collapses have occurred with alarming frequency in Sudan. Despite being a significant gold-producing nation, safety standards within the mining sector are seldom adhered to. Earlier incidents have proven fatal; an event in 2023 resulted in the deaths of 14 miners, while another in 2021 claimed 38 lives.

Context of the Ongoing Conflict

The al-Zara mine is one of countless informal mining sites in Sudan, which has been grappling with conflict that has occasionally led to severe food shortages in some regions. Reports from experts associated with the United Nations indicate that large volumes of gold are illicitly exported from Sudan to support the RSF, which is known to govern gold-rich territories in both Darfur and Kordofan.

The current phase of conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, with clashes breaking out between the RSF and the Sudanese military. This ongoing strife has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 59,000 individuals, as per data gathered by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project. Humanitarian organisations suggest that the actual number of fatalities may be significantly higher.

The collapse of the gold mine has once again brought attention to the inherent risks faced by informal miners in a country embroiled in war, where emergency response capabilities remain heavily strained. This incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities facing unregulated workers in hazardous environments.

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