Record-High Gold Prices Fuel Sudan's Devastating Civil Conflict

Strategic Insights -

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has been protracted by a record surge in gold production, with mining activity accelerating to its highest level in six years, reaching an estimated 80 tonnes valued at over $6 billion in 2024. This boom, driven by artisanal mining and easy access to imported chemicals, has become a vital financial lifeline to the warring factions, prolonging the devastating conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gold production in Sudan surged to its highest level in six years in 2024, reaching an estimated 80 tonnes valued at over $6 billion, according to new research from NGOs Swissaid and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS).
  • More than half of Sudan's gold output is smuggled abroad, particularly to countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Russia, fueling the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
  • The fight for control of these valuable resources has become a central driver of the war, with Yvan Schulz, programme officer at Swissaid, stating that production has recovered rapidly and is now a crucial funding source for both sides.
  • Analysts say the gold industry is ultimately enabling the war economy, with Ahmed Soliman, senior Africa research fellow at Chatham House, remarking that resources are being extracted to destroy the country, import arms, and tear Sudan apart.
  • The industry accounts for 60% of export earnings in SAF-controlled areas, according to the country's mining ministry, despite limited international sanctions.

Statistics:

  • 80 tonnes: estimated gold production in Sudan in 2024, according to new research from NGOs Swissaid and C4ADS.
  • $6 billion: estimated value of Sudan's gold production in 2024, according to Swissaid and C4ADS.
  • 150,000: approximately the number of people killed since the conflict began, according to UN figures.
  • 12 million: the number of people displaced since the conflict began, according to UN figures.
  • 60%: the share of export earnings in SAF-controlled areas accounted for by the mining industry, according to the country's mining ministry.
  • 1 million: the estimated number of Sudanese who have livelihoods dependent on the gold industry, according to analysts.

Sources:

  • Financial Times, reports cited
  • Swissaid and Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), new research
  • Yvan Schulz, programme officer at Swissaid
  • Ahmed Soliman, senior Africa research fellow at Chatham House
  • Denise Sprimont-Vasquez, programme director at C4ADS
  • Sasha Lezhnev, The Sentry, U.S.-based non-profit