Fifteen miners killed in Sudan gold mine collapse
July 6, 2026 (WADI HALFA) – Fifteen miners were killed, and another was injured on Monday when a gold mine collapsed in Sudan’s Northern State.
The tragic accident adds to a series of gold mine collapses across various Sudanese states—most recently in Red Sea State last April—which have claimed the lives of a large number of artisanal miners in recent years.
The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company said in a statement that the Mohamed Towfik gold mine in the Samna area of Wadi Halfa locality collapsed, killing 15 miners and injuring one other.
According to the statement, the company immediately dispatched field teams to the site in coordination with mineral security, mining police, and rescue teams from the state government and Wadi Halfa locality to oversee rescue operations and recover the victims.
Preliminary information indicated that the accident occurred after a number of miners entered the mine despite it being closed by the Environment and Safety Department. The department had issued clear warnings banning work inside the mine following technical assessments that proved it was dangerous and prone to collapse.
The company added that some miners entered the site in violation of those directives, leading to parts of the mine collapsing on them.
A technical delegation from the company’s headquarters has been sent to the site to investigate the circumstances, review safety aspects, and reinforce preventive measures.
The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company reiterated that mine closure decisions are issued only after precise technical and engineering assessments, primarily aimed at protecting lives. It called on all miners to fully comply with safety directives and avoid entering closed mines.
The artisanal mining sector employs more than two million people, a number that has grown significantly since the outbreak of war in April 2023. Millions work in remote areas of Sudan under harsh conditions, producing more than 80% of the country’s total gold production.
Authorities have repeatedly stated that they are seeking to reorganize traditional mining and combat hazardous activities to protect the lives of artisanal miners.