Sudan Declares War on Gold Smugglers - Sarmad
The Sudanese Ministry of Minerals has announced strict measures against anyone proven to be involved in the smuggling, possession, transport, or trading of gold in violation of the law.
Sudan is grappling with widespread gold smuggling, with estimates indicating that between 70% and 80% of total actual production is smuggled out of the country, causing economic losses amounting to billions of dollars annually.
Minister of Minerals Nour Al-Daim Taha affirmed that gold registration forms are now completely free of charge, noting that the state has removed all procedural obstacles for producers. He stressed that there is no longer any justification for possessing, transporting, or trading gold outside legal frameworks and without official documentation.
The minister emphasized that gold smuggling directly depletes national resources and harms the interests of producers and the national economy. He confirmed that the state will continue to provide incentives for those who comply with the law.
Conversely, strict measures will be taken against anyone proven to be involved in the smuggling, possession, transport, or illegal trading of gold, in coordination with the relevant judicial and security authorities.
As part of efforts to develop the mining environment, the Minister of Minerals has directed the renaming of “mining markets” to “gold extraction centers,” reflecting the actual nature of the activities conducted at these sites. This move coincides with the launch of a pilot market project, as part of the ministry’s strategy to update the regulatory framework of the traditional mining sector.
Taha affirmed that the government has adopted a package of incentives and facilitations to encourage producers to conduct business through official channels. He called on workers in the sector to expedite the completion of registration procedures to benefit from state-provided services, which ensure the protection of their rights and facilitate sales, transport, and trading operations.
He pointed out that the free registration forms and simplified procedures represent an important step toward enhancing legal compliance. He noted that registration compliance helps protect producers, promotes transparency, and supports state efforts to regulate the gold trade and maximize the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Traditional (artisanal) mining is one of the most important pillars of the Sudanese economy, employing approximately two million people and contributing nearly 80% of the country’s total gold production.
