Gold Mine Collapse in Sudan Leaves Dozens Killed

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): At least 38 people were killed when a non-functioning private gold mine near al-Nahud, a town about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Khartoum, Sudan collapsed. Eight are reportedly missing, for whom search operations are in progress. As per reports, several others have been injured. The exact number of people buried under the debris is yet to be ascertained.

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The mine had been shut down earlier by the government citing safety issues. Four miners were killed at the same mine in January this year, after which the authorities had installed security to guard the site. The mine was reopened after the security guards left a couple of months ago. Initial reports suggested 31 deaths, but the death toll rose as more bodies were recovered during the rescue operation.

The mine was previously cited by the government of West Kordofan state and the state’s security committee as not suitable for mining. However, miners infiltrated and worked in the mine.

According to rough estimates, traditional mining industry in Sudan employs nearly two million people. The government has been imposing several regulations to prevent illegal gold mining in the country.

It must be noted that mine collapses are not uncommon in African countries, especially in countries such as Congo.