Following the collapse of an informal gold mine in West Kordofan, Sudan, where several miners are reportedly dead and others remain trapped, Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, AMSG, Dele Alake, has called for an immediate and coordinated rescue operation.
Alake urged Sudanese authorities and regional stakeholders to deploy heavy excavation and lifting equipment to the Al-Zaraa mine near Al-Nuhud town, stressing the need for swift action to improve the chances of reaching those still trapped underground.
He also called for medical teams and other emergency resources to be mobilised alongside rescue personnel to provide immediate assistance to any survivors recovered from the collapsed shafts.
The disaster has renewed concerns over the safety of artisanal miners across Africa, with Alake advocating faster formalisation of informal mining activities and stronger regulatory oversight at mining sites.
He stressed that artisanal mining remains an important source of livelihood for communities affected by conflict and economic hardship, but said this should not come at the expense of workers’ safety.
Initial reports indicate that the collapse involved interconnected shafts in unstable terrain. Dozens of miners are reportedly dead, while others remain missing and are feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue efforts have reportedly been hampered by the lack of heavy machinery, leaving local responders to rely largely on basic tools to clear debris and search for survivors.
Alake extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as the people and authorities of Sudan, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with poorly regulated mining operations.
The AMSG said it would continue advocating stronger safety standards, improved training and effective institutional oversight to protect artisanal miners and ensure that Africa’s mineral wealth is developed without compromising human lives.
