Sudan’s gold production reached 64 tonnes in 2024, marking a 53% increase from 2022, according to the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC). The legal exports generated approximately $1.57 billion, offering critical revenue for the war-torn country’s struggling economy.
SMRC Director Mohamed Tahir Omer announced the figures during a press briefing in Cairo. The agency projects 37 tonnes of production in the first half of 2025 alone, potentially yielding over 403 billion Sudanese pounds in revenue.
Despite this rise, gold smuggling remains a persistent problem. Nearly half of Sudan’s output is believed to be illicitly exported across borders, particularly from mines controlled by armed factions near South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Analysts from Chatham House and Swissaid estimate Sudan’s total gold production could reach 80 tonnes annually, valued at over $6 billion. However, much of this gold finances both sides of the ongoing 27-month conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.
While officials hail mining as a potential driver for economic recovery, the government’s limited control over key production sites and continued smuggling pose major obstacles. The war, which began in April 2023, has displaced over 12 million people and triggered a humanitarian crisis.
Authorities say reforms and regulation in the mining sector will be key to harnessing its full economic potential in the years ahead.