Published July 08, 2025
Introduction: A Deadly Collapse in War‑Torn Sudan
On the weekend of June 29, 2025, a tragic collapse at the Kersh al‑Fil artisanal gold mine in northeastern Sudan claimed the lives of at least 11 miners and injured seven others. Operated under hazardous conditions, the mine had already been suspended for safety reasons but resumed activity. The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC), a state firm, warned of the lethal risk—a warning that went unheeded :
1. What Happened at Kersh al‑Fil?
The partial collapse occurred in an “artisanal shaft” in the desert region of Houeid, near Atbara and Haiya in the Red Sea State :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. Despite warnings and prior suspension of work, miners returned, resulting in a catastrophic failure. Seven miners were rushed to hospital with injuries.
2. Why Are Artisanal Mines So Dangerous?
Artisanal and small-scale mining—responsible for most of Sudan’s gold—is notoriously unregulated and unsafe. Collapses occur frequently due to poor shaft support, lack of safety equipment, and hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide
3. Repeated Tragedies
Similar incidents have occurred in recent years: a 2023 collapse killed 14 miners; in 2021, 38 died in another shaft collapse. These repeated events highlight a systemic failure to protect workers.
4. Artisanal Mining Fuels Sudan’s War Economy
Since the civil war began in April 2023, both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have financed their operations through gold sales :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. Smuggled through Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, and onward to the UAE—accredited as the second-largest global gold exporter. The UAE is accused of fueling the conflict by purchasing this gold
This “resource-for-war” dynamic accelerates exploitation and neglect of safety in artisanal zones.
5. The SMRC’s Neglectful Role
SMRC had officially suspended work at Kersh al‑Fil and urged others to avoid it, citing grave safety threats. Nevertheless, miners carried on, undeterred by the warnings SMRC’s failure to enforce shutdowns or support miners post-warning signals a governance breakdown in mining oversight.
6. Human Cost and Societal Impact
The human toll is immense. Eleven lives lost, seven seriously injured, and countless families plunged into grief and financial ruin. These losses add to the broader humanitarian crisis: over 13 million displaced, with millions facing hunger and displacement
7. Calls for Reform and Regulation
Local and international voices are urging Sudanese authorities to implement stricter safety measures in artisanal mining. Observers highlight the need for:
- Enforcement of SMRC-imposed suspensions
- Mandatory safety gear and structural support
- Training programs for artisanal miners
- Transparent tracking of mine revenues
Failure to act risks repeating history—and deepening the toll on vulnerable communities.
8. The Bigger Picture: Mining, Conflict & Global Accountability
The mine collapse illustrates how resource extraction in conflict zones can become a flashpoint for violence and neglect. It raises urgent questions:
- To what extent are foreign buyers complicit in funding war?
- How can global supply chains ensure “conflict-free” gold?
- What role should international organizations play?
Experts at the UN Peacekeeping and OSCE are advocating for stronger monitoring and certification.
Conclusion: Tragedy Calls for Change
The collapse at the Kersh al‑Fil mine is more than a mining accident—it is a tragedy born from systemic neglect in a resource-rich nation shattered by civil conflict. Safety warnings were ignored, artisanal miners conscripted into dangerous work, and profits used to fuel war.
As Sudan grapples with displacement, hunger, and regional instability, meaningful reform is critical. Enforcing mine closures, protecting worker lives, and disrupting war-linked gold supply chains are urgent steps.
Only accountability and regulation can ensure that thousands of miners—who risk everything to support their families—are not sacrificed again.
Related Reads & Resources
- Conflict Minerals in Sudan’s Civil War
- Improving Mining Safety Across Africa
- DW – Sudan Mine Collapse Report
- Al Jazeera Coverage on Sudan’s Civil Conflict
this post by allafrica.com
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