A collapse at the Awny mining area near Sudan’s border with Egypt on Sunday resulted in at least 10 deaths and 21 injuries, according to accounts from survivors and miners at the site. Recovery efforts continued as search teams worked to locate additional workers believed trapped beneath the rubble. The incident followed another significant mining disaster days earlier at the al-Zaraa mine in West Kordofan State, where at least 82 people were killed.
Sudan ranks among Africa’s leading gold producers, with output reaching 70 tonnes annually according to government figures. Gold production has accelerated during the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023. Reports from July 2025 indicated that gold output rose to 64 tonnes in 2024, generating $1.57 billion in legal export revenues and representing a 53 percent increase from 2022 levels.
However, the gold sector faces significant international scrutiny. The majority of Sudan’s gold exports flow to the UAE, and in March 2025, Sudan brought accusations before the International Court of Justice that the UAE was supporting and financing the RSF through gold-related arrangements. The UAE has denied allegations of weapons supply to the RSF. Analysts estimate that much of Sudan’s gold exits the country through informal smuggling networks rather than regulated government channels.
Experts point to the informal nature of most mining operations as a primary cause of the high casualty rates. Joseph Tucker, senior analyst on the Horn of Africa at the International Crisis Group, characterized the mines as unregulated artisanal operations in remote areas that lack modern technology, adequate infrastructure, and specialized safety equipment. In 2026, Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris met with the minerals minister to discuss regulatory policies for traditional mining and mineral market management, with authorities calling for action against environmental damage and public health hazards.
The economic crisis stemming from the conflict has intensified the appeal of gold mining despite its dangers. The Sudanese pound has depreciated dramatically, with the exchange rate shifting from approximately 570 pounds per US dollar before 2023 to over 3,500 pounds per dollar by April 2026. This currency collapse has driven food inflation and increased transportation and fuel costs. The UN Development Programme estimates Sudan lost $6.4 billion in GDP during 2023 alone, equivalent to a quarter of the country’s annual economic output, while agricultural yields have declined significantly across the agrarian nation.
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