Saudi Arabia, Sudan agree to exploit Red Sea treasure

March 25, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to reactivate a deal signed in 1974 on the joint exploitation of valuable mineral riches in the Red Sea.

Under the protocol which was signed in Khartoum on Tuesday by Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Al-Zubair Ahmed Hassan and Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, the parties agreed to form committees to enforce the agreement.

The search for (the Red Sea treasure), which began in 1974 during the era of former Sudanese President Jaafar Numeiri confirmed the existence of this treasure, which contains large amounts of gold and precious metals which are priceless.

During the seventies of last century the two parties held a series of joint meetings. Further, Sudan had established a special department in the Ministry of Mineral Resources to implement the project. After, the task was entrusted to a special department operated by the Minister of Justice in Numeiri era, Mustafa Zaki, and then Sudan suddenly stopped work on the project for unclear reasons.

The two ministers held a meeting in which they reviewed the studies and researches conducted in the Red Sea depth and which proved the existence of a number of hidden riches such as gold, silver, zinc, copper and other minerals.

Al-Naimi called the Sudanese private sector to participate in this vital project and contribute to trealize this huge investment.

Before leaving Sudan at the end of a two-day visit, Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir received the Saudi minister who conveyed to him greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

(ST)