Sudan gold mine collapse kills 10, survivors say

A gold mine collapse in northern Sudan killed at least 10 people and injured 21 others, two survivors said Sunday after overnight rescue efforts.

The shafts collapsed Saturday in the Awny mining area near Sudan's border with Egypt. One survivor who was working at the mine said that by Sunday morning “10 bodies had been recovered and 21 injured miners pulled out”.

Another survivor said miners themselves were carrying out the rescue with little equipment available. Survivors said more miners were feared dead under the rubble and the search for missing people was continuing.

Many young Sudanese work in unregulated gold mines using basic tools for low daily wages. Miners face chemical poisoning and regular collapses. Last week, at least 82 people were killed and dozens injured in a separate collapse in the southern Kordofan region.

Artisanal and small-scale mining, in unofficial zones or decommissioned mines, accounts for most gold extracted in Sudan. Since war erupted in April 2023 between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the war efforts of both sides have been largely funded by the country's billion-dollar gold trade, along with foreign backers.

Sudanese officials and mining industry sources say nearly all gold produced by both sides of the war flows to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE denies reports that it arms the RSF.