Sudan to deploy joint force to curb gold smuggling
April 28, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s minerals ministry on Tuesday held final discussions with regular security forces regarding the deployment of a joint task force to combat gold smuggling and secure mining markets.
The meeting, chaired by Minerals Minister Noreldaim Taha, included representatives from military intelligence, the General Intelligence Service, mining police, and customs and anti-smuggling departments.
The ministry said in a statement that the gathering focused on the final arrangements for the “Mining Sector Joint Force” and assessed its readiness to begin field operations shortly.
Taha said the force would play a pivotal role in curbing cross-border smuggling and addressing illegal practices at production sites. He added that the measures aim to tighten oversight and provide comprehensive security for mining markets.
The move follows a report by the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company on April 23, which noted that gold production reached 89% of its target during the first quarter of this year.
Despite these production levels, a significant gap remains between extraction and official exports. Last year, Sudan produced 70 tonnes of gold, but central bank data show only 14 tonnes were formally exported. These exports generated $1.5 billion, accounting for 58% of total exports, suggesting that the vast majority of the country’s gold is smuggled abroad.
Official statistics do not include gold produced in mines controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid Nur in Darfur, or the SPLM-N led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu in South Kordofan.
Taha described the mineral sector as facing “grave challenges” due to the targeting of state resources. He called for the firm enforcement of laws and deterrent penalties against those undermining the national economy.
Most of Sudan’s gold is produced through artisanal mining, which employs nearly two million people. Many companies also extract gold from traditional mining waste, known locally as “karta,” using chemicals such as cyanide.