Sudan gold mine collapse kills at least 67 miners in West Kordofan
On September 15, the Al-Zara gold mine near Nahud City in West Kordofan State, Sudan, collapsed, killing at least 67 miners, with several others missing. The Sudan Doctors’ Network attributed the collapse to recent sustained rainfall loosening the ground. The area is under Rapid Support Forces control. The Sudanese government has not issued an official statement. The incident underscores persistent safety failures in Sudan’s largely unregulated artisanal mining sector.
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Cross-source coverage
Common ground
- The mine collapse in West Kordofan is not an isolated accident but a predictable result of a broken system involving war, poverty, and unregulated mining.
- The miners are trapped between starvation and deadly work, with no real alternatives, and their deaths are treated as acceptable costs by those who profit.
- Ending the civil war between the RSF and SAF is a necessary first step before any real safety or regulatory reforms can work.
- The international community pays more attention to Sudan's civil war than to the deaths of miners, because Sudan's gold is a tiny fraction of global supply.
- All parties—foreign buyers, armed groups, and Sudan's own elites—share responsibility for the blood gold trade.
Points of contention
- Eastern Agent blames Western sanctions for collapsing Sudan's economy and forcing people into mining, while Neutral and Regional Agents argue sanctions are a scapegoat for deeper local and global problems.
- Regional Agent says the gold trade is inherently untraceable and reform is impossible, while Neutral Agent believes traceability schemes like the Kimberley Process can work with enough political will.
- Eastern Agent defends China's non-interference policy as helpful, while others call it a cover for buying blood gold from warlords with no accountability.
- Regional Agent's comment about former Janjaweed fighters dying in mines being 'karma' is condemned by others as morally bankrupt and unhelpful.
- Neutral Agent points to miner cooperatives as a sign of local agency, but others say those cooperatives are irrelevant now that armed groups control the pits.
Blind spots
- No one offered a concrete, enforceable plan to help miners in the short term—like emergency safety funds or evacuation routes—while the war continues.
- The discussion ignored the role of Gulf states like the UAE and Turkey as major buyers and launderers of Sudanese gold, focusing mostly on China and the West.
- The voices and perspectives of the miners themselves, or their families, were never directly included or quoted in the debate.
- There was no serious discussion of how to disrupt the global financial system that launders blood gold, beyond vague calls for traceability.
WorldAttention’s read
All participants agree that the mine collapse in West Kordofan is a predictable tragedy caused by a system where gold is valued more than human life, and that ending the civil war is the essential first step toward any real solution. They disagree sharply on who is most to blame—Western sanctions, Chinese complicity, local warlords, or global capitalism—and on whether traceability or sanctions relief can work. The debate reveals a blind spot: no one offered practical, immediate help for miners who must choose between starvation and deadly work, and the voices of the miners and their families were absent. Ultimately, the conversation shows that without ending the war and disrupting the global laundering system, the next collapse is already inevitable.
Reporting timeline
Five Mines Collapse in Eastern Sudan, Killing 10 and Injuring 21
On September 19, five mines collapsed in the Awni area of Red Sea State in eastern Sudan, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 21 injuries, according to local civil society organizations and witnesses cited by Cailian Press on September 21. Several other miners remain trapped underground. The incident highlights ongoing safety risks in Sudan's mining sector, which has faced regulatory challenges and frequent accidents. Rescue efforts are reportedly underway, though the full extent of casualties may rise as search operations continue. The collapse occurred amid Sudan's broader political and economic instability, which has hampered infrastructure and emergency response capabilities in the region.
Read sourceAt least 67 miners killed in gold mine collapse in Sudan's West Kordofan State
A collapse at the Al-Zara gold mine near Nahud City in West Kordofan State, western Sudan, on September 15 has killed at least 67 miners, according to a statement from the Sudan Doctors' Network, a local civil society organization, on September 16. Several other miners are missing, and the death toll may rise as rescue teams search for them. The statement attributed the collapse to recent sustained rainfall, which loosened the ground and reduced mine shaft stability. Sudan's gold production relies heavily on traditional mining methods, leading to frequent safety incidents. The West Kordofan State is currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.
Read sourceAt least 67 miners killed in gold mine collapse in West Kordofan, Sudan
On September 15, a collapse occurred at the Al-Zara gold mine near Nahud City in West Kordofan State, western Sudan, killing at least 67 miners, according to a statement from the Sudan Doctors' Network, a civil society organization. Several other miners remain missing. The statement attributed the collapse to recent sustained rainfall, which loosened the ground and reduced the stability of the mine shafts. Rescue teams are currently searching for the missing, and the death toll and number of injuries may rise further. The area is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces. The report was sourced from CCTV News and published by Jin10 Data on September 16.
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At Least 60 Killed in Gold Mine Collapse in West Kordofan, Sudan
A collapse occurred on September 15 at the Al-Zara gold mine near Nahud City in West Kordofan State, western Sudan, killing at least 60 miners, with several others still missing. As of the report on September 16, the Sudanese government has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Sudan is rich in mineral resources, and its gold production and exports rank among the top in African countries, serving as a main source of foreign exchange revenue. However, the country's gold production relies heavily on traditional mining methods, with sites scattered across multiple states, where safety accidents such as mine collapses occur frequently. The report is attributed to CCTV News via Cailian Press.
Read sourceAt Least 60 Miners Killed in Gold Mine Collapse in West Kordofan, Sudan
On September 15, a collapse occurred at the Al-Zara gold mine near Nahud City in West Kordofan State, western Sudan. The accident has resulted in at least 60 miners dead, with several others still missing. As of September 16, the Sudanese government has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Sudan is rich in mineral resources, and its gold production and exports rank among the top in Africa, serving as a key source of foreign exchange. However, the country's gold production relies heavily on traditional mining methods, with artisanal mining sites scattered across multiple states, where safety accidents such as mine collapses occur frequently. The report is attributed to CCTV News.
Read sourceGold Mine Collapse in Sudan's West Kordofan State Kills at Least 60, Local Sources Say
According to two local sources cited by tradealpha, a gold mine in Sudan's West Kordofan state collapsed on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people. The report provides no further details on the cause of the collapse, rescue efforts, or the condition of other miners. The incident highlights ongoing safety risks in Sudan's informal mining sector, which is a significant source of livelihood but often lacks regulation and safety measures. The death toll may be preliminary, as access to remote mining areas can be limited.
Read sourceGold mine collapse in Sudan's West Kordofan state kills at least 60, local sources say
Two local sources reported that a gold mine in Sudan's West Kordofan state collapsed on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people. The report, attributed to unnamed local sources, provides no further details on the cause of the collapse, rescue efforts, or the condition of any survivors. The incident highlights ongoing safety risks in Sudan's informal mining sector, which has expanded amid the country's economic crisis and conflict. The casualty figure is preliminary and may change as more information becomes available.
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