Sudan’s natural wealth becomes the new front line of its ongoing war

Sudan is rich in natural resources, with gold being a critical component of its economy, making up 70% of exports. Small-scale mining accounts for 85% of the country’s gold production, which has surged since the war began, officially reaching 65 tons last year, though analysts estimate the actual figure is much higher. Illegal gold trafficking, particularly by the paramilitary RSF, exacerbates challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. In addition to gold, Sudan boasts deposits of copper, uranium, iron ore, and rare earth minerals across regions such as the Nuba Mountains, Darfur, and the Red Sea Hills. Copper is increasingly vital as global demand rises with the AI and tech boom, while uranium was set to power collaborations with Russia and China—plans now uncertain due to the war. The River Nile remains pivotal for agriculture and hydroelectric power, and Sudan’s oil reserves, largely concentrated in the south, are strategically transported through pipelines to Port Sudan. Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports. Ahmad Ibrahim is a former staffer in the Transitional Government under former Prime Minister Hamdok, and an independent analyst. He is joining us in the studio to discuss this. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Sudan #SudanWar #SudanNaturalResources #SudanGold #RSF #RapidSupportForces #SudaneseArmy #Darfur #FasherSiege #AlJazeeraEnglish