At least 15 people were killed and one injured in a collapse at a traditional gold mine in the Wadi Halfa region of northern Sudan, the Sudan Mineral Resources Company reported on Monday. The company, a government agency that regulates mining activities, said in a statement that the accident occurred after miners entered a mine that had previously been closed by authorities due to safety concerns. A local witness said the collapse was “wide,” making it difficult for rescuers to reach those trapped. Sudan has been heavily reliant on gold as its primary source of foreign exchange since 2011. Mining accounts for approximately 40% of total exports, although production has declined since the start of the war in April 2023.
