Minister of Minerals Meets High-Level Delegation Representing Local Community in Abu Hamad, River Nile State

Khartoum /
The Minister of Minerals today met with a high-level delegation representing the local community of Abu Hamad locality in River Nile State, in the presence of the Director-General of the Geological Research Authority, Eng. Ahmed Haroun Al-Tom, and representatives of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company. The meeting discussed issues related to the regulation of artisanal mining, environmental protection, and strengthening local development.

The Minister praised the role played by the people of Abu Hamad in supporting state stability during the exceptional circumstances imposed by the war, noting that the locality is one of the country’s most important gold-producing areas and has made significant contributions to supporting the national economy.

He explained that the Ministry is implementing a comprehensive plan to regulate artisanal mining, pointing out that current practices have caused serious damage to local communities and the environment, in addition to limited awareness of the risks associated with the random use of chemicals in mining operations.

The Minister stressed that the Ministry continues its efforts to combat gold smuggling and address gaps resulting from security vulnerabilities, in order to preserve national resources and maximize their returns for the benefit of the state and citizens.

He emphasized that mining represents a national wealth that should benefit local communities, while the state has the right to manage these resources in a manner that serves the public interest. He called for cooperation among all stakeholders to develop and regulate the mining sector.

The Minister revealed significant progress in implementing projects to secure and fence mining markets, as well as ongoing efforts in geological surveys aimed at identifying and assessing gold and mineral reserves. He urged the local community to support the project and contribute to the success of efforts to organize the mining sector.

He further warned that traditional mining poses risks to the environment and future generations, affirming that the Ministry is working to regulate the sector and remove unauthorized random mining ponds operating outside the state’s regulatory framework. He noted that continuous field campaigns are being carried out by a specialized force established to follow up on these issues.

Regarding social responsibility, the Minister stated that the Ministry has developed a clear strategy to achieve genuine development in mining-producing areas.

He announced the Ministry’s contribution to the implementation of the Al-Delta Bridge Project on the western bank in Abu Hamad Locality, as part of its programs aimed at supporting communities hosting mining activities.