Sudan: Dozens Killed in West Kordofan Gold Mine Collapse

At least 60 individuals were confirmed dead on Wednesday following the collapse of a gold mine on Sunday in Al-Nahud town, West Kordofan State, Sudan. Sudan ranks among Africa's largest gold producers; however, the vast majority of its gold is extracted through primitive and perilous mining methods, often subsequently smuggled out of the country. The high death toll in this remote location is attributed to the severe lack of safety measures and inadequate rescue equipment at the rudimentary mine. West Kordofan State is controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for whom gold mining constitutes a primary source of revenue.