Sudan’s gold production on track to reach 100 tonnes in 2016: minister

December 9, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Minister of Minerals Mohame d Sadiq al-Karouri affirmed that his country’s gold production will reach 100 tonnes next year which will move Sudan to the 2nd rank in Africa and 9th worldwide in terms of production.

In remarks before the Sudanese Parliament on Wednesday, the minister said that the total gold production in 2014 was 73.4 tonnes, of which mining companies produced 9.7 tonnes while traditional mining contributed 63.7 tonnes.

He added that his ministry concluded agreements with several countries including Russia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for the development of the mineral sector.

Al-Karuri also warned about threats posed by traditional mining because of excessive use of mercury and potential collapse of the 73,600 mining sites that employee close to 1 million miners.

The minister attributed the low gold production by companies to the fact that they need between 3-7 years to reach the production stage.

MP al-Sheikh Abu-Kasawi slammed government policies with respect to the mining sector, saying they are unable to control the production and marketing of gold.

He said that 70 tonnes of gold are produced but that the national budget only accounts for 3- 4 tonnes with more than 60 tonnes smuggled abroad.

(ST)