A Russian trade delegation has been negotiating with Sudanese officials to initiate gold extraction from various sites in Sudan as early as next month, according to sources from the Sudan Tribune.
These discussions follow a June agreement between Sudan’s Ministry of Minerals and the Russian company Zarubezhgeologiya for gold exploration and extraction. During the recent delegation visit, Sudan’s Minister of Minerals, Mohamed Bashir Abu Numo, shared on Facebook that the talks focused on investment opportunities and the integration of modern technology into the mining sector.
The Russian delegation, led by Viktor Chemodanov, chairman of the Russian-Sudanese Business Council, included members from the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They met with officials from the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company and the Geological Research Authority.
Sources indicated that the discussions centered on gold extraction, with operations expected to commence soon after technical teams from Russian firms arrive in Sudan next week. These arrangements are seen as crucial for addressing significant revenue losses, wartime expenditures, and the ongoing economic challenges, including the collapse of the Sudanese pound and resource scarcity.
A former member of the Employers’ Union, speaking anonymously, suggested that the visit’s primary purpose might be to secure gold imports in exchange for weapons.
Additionally, according to a statement from Sudan’s Seaports Corporation, the Russian delegation explored opportunities for using Sudanese ports as gateways to Africa, given their strategic importance. The director general of the Seaports Authority noted that during a recent trip to Russia, various sectors expressed interest in investing in Sudan, particularly in ports and tourism. Plans for developing new ports south of Port Sudan and constructing an airport to support tourism were also discussed.
In response, the Russian ambassador mentioned that some Russian businesspeople are interested in establishing a Sudanese-Russian business center and logistics hub. The meeting concluded with an agreement to prepare documentation and maps for Russian investors through the embassy. Upon arriving in Port Sudan, Chemodanov emphasized that the visit aimed to strengthen ties between the two nations in trade, industry, and investment.
Businessman Al-Sadiq Qasim al-Sayed highlighted the potential benefits for Sudan in acquiring Russian technology to enhance its economy.
Government estimates suggest that gold revenues over the past nine months have reached approximately $1.3 billion. However, due to smuggling and control by military and security forces, there are no consistently accurate statistics on gold production in the country.
Since the outbreak of war in April, local capital has shifted to safer regions, yet this has not sufficiently mitigated the decline in gold production, a government source reported. The halt in production in the Darfur and Kordofan regions has created a significant gap, leading to production being concentrated in the Red Sea, River Nile, and Northern states.
