The Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called for urgent support for rescue operations following the collapse of a gold mine in West Kordofan, Sudan, where several artisanal miners were reportedly killed.
Alake also urged stronger safety standards, training and regulatory oversight across Africa’s artisanal mining sector, warning that the pursuit of mineral resources must not come at the expense of human lives.
The minister made the call in a statement posted on his social media account on Friday while expressing condolences to families of victims of the incident at the Al-Zaraa gold mine.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic mine collapse at the Al-Zaraa gold mine in West Kordofan, Sudan, which has reportedly claimed the lives of several artisanal miners, with others still missing,” Alake said.
He expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of Sudan, while also acknowledging those awaiting information about miners who remained trapped.
“My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the families who have lost loved ones and with the people of Sudan at this difficult time,” he said.
“I also stand with the families waiting anxiously for news of those still trapped and with those working to rescue them.”
Alake described the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by artisanal miners across the continent, particularly in an industry where workers often operate under hazardous conditions.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers faced by artisanal miners across Africa,” he said.
As chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Alake called for immediate assistance for the ongoing rescue operation and broader measures to strengthen the protection of miners.
“As Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, I call for urgent support for the rescue efforts and stronger measures to improve safety, training and oversight in artisanal mining across our continent,” he said.
The minister stressed that efforts to develop Africa’s mineral resources must be accompanied by measures to protect the people working in the sector.
“No amount of gold is worth a human life,” Alake said.
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