Sudan mining revenues surge as gold production nears targets
April 23, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s mineral resources regulator reported a significant jump in artisanal mining revenues for the first quarter of 2026, with collection rates reaching 113% of the projected target, officials said on Thursday.
Gold production for the same period reached 89% of its planned target, according to the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC). The performance highlights the mining sector’s critical role as the primary driver of Sudan’s economy during the ongoing conflict.
Artisanal mining accounts for approximately 80% of Sudan’s total gold output, with activity largely concentrated in the River Nile, Northern, and Red Sea states. The organized corporate sector contributes the remaining 20%.
SMRC General Manager Mohamed Taher Omer, speaking during an executive meeting in Khartoum, praised the quarterly performance and urged staff to maximize production to support the national treasury. Omer also highlighted improvements in environmental safety standards and the company’s shift toward digital governance.
Al-Sadiq Al-Haj Taha, director of the planning department, said the revenue surplus has been directly allocated to community social responsibility projects, including health, water, and education initiatives.
Environmental compliance reached 70% in the organized mining sector and 57% in artisanal areas, Taha added.
The company announced it will soon launch a new AI-powered website and a digital portal for mineral transactions, aligned with government directives for comprehensive digital transformation.
The sector continues to face challenges regarding official exports. Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim previously stated that while Sudan produced roughly 70 tonnes of gold in 2025, official exports did not exceed 20 tonnes.
Central Bank of Sudan data shows that 14.7 tonnes of gold were exported through official channels in 2025, generating $1.536 billion. Gold currently represents more than 58% of Sudan’s total export value.