A Sudan gold mine collapse has killed at least 67 people in the remote West Kordofan region, while rescuers continue searching for miners trapped beneath the rubble.
The disaster happened at the al-Zara gold mine near Nuhud. The Sudan Doctors Network and survivors reported the death toll on Wednesday. However, local officials gave a higher figure, saying 82 bodies had been recovered.
Many miners remain missing. As a result, authorities and local workers fear the death toll could rise as rescue teams struggle to reach those buried underground.
Al-Zara Mine Collapse Leaves Miners Trapped
The al-Zara mine sits in West Kordofan, an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to survivors, several interconnected shafts collapsed. The mine stretches across fragile, sandy ground, making rescue operations particularly difficult.
One survivor, Khairal-Sayed Gabara, described the collapse as massive. He said rescuers lacked the heavy machinery needed to remove soil and rocks from depths of more than 30 metres.
Another survivor, Al-Amin Suliman, said dozens of people were still inside the mine.
Rescue Efforts Face Severe Equipment Shortage
Rescue workers face major challenges at the site.
The mine operates as an informal mining operation, with workers lacking basic safety equipment and proper protective measures, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.
Local rescuers also have very limited machinery. Reports said only one privately owned forklift was available to help remove rubble, slowing efforts to reach people trapped underground.
Therefore, miners and local volunteers have had to rely on basic tools while searching through the collapsed shafts.
Sudan Gold Mine Collapse Highlights Safety Risks
The latest Sudan gold mine collapse has once again exposed the dangers facing workers in the country’s informal mining sector.
Sudan remains a major gold producer, but thousands of small-scale mines operate with limited regulation and safety controls.
Mine collapses have killed workers before. A collapse in 2023 killed 14 miners, while another disaster in 2021 claimed 38 lives.
Because many workers depend on informal mining for income, dangerous conditions remain widespread.
Gold Mining Continues During Sudan’s War
The tragedy comes as Sudan continues to suffer from a devastating war between the military and the RSF.
Fighting began in April 2023 and has caused widespread destruction, displacement and hunger. According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, the conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, although aid groups say the actual figure could be considerably higher.
Gold has also become an important source of income during the conflict.
Experts commissioned by the United Nations have reported that significant quantities of Sudanese gold are smuggled out of the country and help finance the RSF, which controls gold-producing areas in Darfur and Kordofan.
Death Toll Could Rise
Rescue operations remain underway as workers continue searching the collapsed mine.
The exact number of people still trapped remains unclear. Different local sources have also reported different death tolls, making it difficult to establish the final number of victims while rescue efforts continue.
For now, at least 67 deaths have been confirmed by the Sudan Doctors Network and survivors. However, the number could rise as rescuers reach deeper sections of the mine.
The disaster has added another tragedy to a country already facing war, displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.
