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Johannesburg - Correspondent Na Hwak-jin – At least 13 people have died and six others were injured following a gold mine collapse in southern Sudan, AFP and Xinhua News agencies reported on the 28th (local time).

Sudan’s state-owned mining company, SMRC, announced that the collapse occurred on the 23rd across five abandoned shafts at the Umm Fakrun mine in South Kordofan State.

In a statement, SMRC noted, "These shafts had been officially closed, but several miners had secretly entered to conduct illegal operations." It added that some individuals remain missing in addition to the confirmed casualties.

Since South Sudan, which once accounted for 75% of oil production, gained independence in 2011, Sudan has focused on the production and export of minerals like gold. However, accidents are frequent due to a reliance on small-scale manual mining, outdated equipment, and poor safety standards.

AFP pointed out that the industrial environment has further deteriorated since the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in April 2023. Both sides fund their military operations significantly through the gold industry, leading to rampant smuggling and hazardous conditions.