Sudan gold production jumps to 64 tonnes despite ongoing conflict
July 17, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s gold production surged to 64 tonnes in 2024, up 53% from 41.8 tonnes in 2022, generating $1.57 billion in legal export revenues for the conflict-torn nation’s struggling economy, state-owned Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC) said.
The figures were announced by Mohamed Tahir Omer, SMRC director, during a meeting with journalists in Cairo, according to the Sudanese government’s official spokesman platform.
The increase comes as Sudan’s 27-month war between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has devastated the economy, making gold a crucial revenue source for the government.
SMRC projects 37 tonnes of gold production in the first half of 2025, which would generate 403 billion Sudanese pounds in revenue, the company said.
“The mining sector has the ability to lead the country towards recovery and economic renaissance,” Omar said, adding that the active workforce in the sector has grown from 5% to 40% capacity.
However, smuggling remains a major challenge, with SMRC Director Mohamed Taher telling AFP that “nearly half of the state’s production is smuggled across borders.”
Key gold-producing mines, particularly along borders with South Sudan and the Central African Republic, are under the control of the RSF, according to industry sources.
International estimates suggest that Sudan’s total gold production could reach 80 tonnes annually, worth over $6 billion. The London-based Chatham House and the Swiss advocacy group Swissaid say that most of this gold is traded illicitly, with the proceeds often financing both warring factions.
The gap between actual production and state revenues highlights the government’s struggle to capture the full economic benefit of Sudan’s mineral wealth amid ongoing conflict.
Sudan’s economy has been battered since the war began in April 2023, with the conflict displacing over 12 million people and pushing the country toward famine, according to United Nations estimates.