70 Sudanese dead in gold mine collapse

More than 150 people – 70 of them believed to be Sudanese – have reportedly died following a collapse at a gold mine in the Kori Bogodi area Sudan-Libya-Chad triangle on Thursday.

The Sudan Liberation Forces Alliance confirmed in a statement that more than 70 young Sudanese are believed to have been killed in the disaster.

Protests against gold mining in Sudan’s Northern State have been suspended following a week-long sit-in. The people of Sawarda suspended their sit-in that had lasted about a week, protesting against international mining companies for the use of poisonous substances such as cyanide.

Wael Hasan, spokesman for the Six-Party Committee for Resistance to Mining Damage, told Radio Dabanga that they had suspended their protest on Saturday because the company agreed to stop its operation in the area and removed its movable equipment. Some immovable assets remain in the area. He added that the committee is waiting for the technical report to assess the damage; and will then start legal procedures against the company.

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