AMSG's Dr. Dele Alake Calls for Rescue Aid in Sudan Mine Collapse

Dr. Dele Alake, the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, urged for the immediate mobilization of rescue equipment to the site of a gold mine collapse in West Kordofan, Sudan. The collapse at the informal Al-Zaraa gold mine near Al-Nuhud resulted in numerous fatalities, with initial reports indicating that dozens of miners may have died and several others remain missing.

Alake expressed concern over the reliance on rudimentary hand tools by local responders due to a lack of heavy excavation machinery. He called on authorities and regional stakeholders to pool resources and deploy necessary equipment to expedite search-and-rescue operations and provide medical assistance.

Alake highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by millions of artisanal miners across Africa, particularly in conflict-affected areas, and stressed the importance of formalizing mining operations through training, safety standards, and stronger oversight to protect vulnerable miners.