Sudan Mining Revenues Surge as Gold Production Nears Targets

Khartoum, April 23, 2026 - Sudan’s mineral resources regulator has reported a sharp increase in artisanal mining revenues during the first quarter of 2026, with collections reaching 113% of projected targets, according to official figures released on Thursday. The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC) said gold production over the same period achieved 89% of its planned target, underscoring the mining sector’s continued importance as the country’s primary economic driver amid ongoing conflict. Officials noted that artisanal mining now accounts for approximately 80% of Sudan’s total gold output, with major activity concentrated in River Nile, Northern, and Red Sea states, while the organized corporate sector contributes the remaining share. During an executive meeting in Khartoum, SMRC’s general manager, Mohamed Taher Omer, described the quarterly performance as strong and called for increased production to further support the national treasury. He also highlighted improvements in environmental safety measures and ongoing efforts to modernize operations through digital governance. The director of the planning department, Al-Sadiq Al-Haj Taha, said surplus revenues have been directed toward social responsibility programs, including projects in healthcare, water access, and education. He added that environmental compliance currently stands at 70% in the formal mining sector and 57% in artisanal mining areas. The company also announced plans to launch a digital platform and an artificial intelligence-based system for mineral transactions, as part of broader government-led digital transformation efforts in the sector. Despite strong production figures, challenges persist in formal export channels. Authorities have previously noted a significant gap between total production and officially recorded exports, with large volumes of gold believed to circulate through informal networks. Official data indicate that Sudan produced approximately 70 tonnes of gold in 2025, while exports through formal channels were significantly lower. Gold remains the country’s dominant export commodity, accounting for more than half of total export revenues.