Gold mine collapse in northeast Sudan kills at least 11

A gold mine shaft in Shendi, northeastern Sudan, collapsed on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 miners and injuries to 30 others, according to a state official. The incident follows another fatal collapse just days earlier near West Kordofan State, which left at least 82 dead. Both collapses highlight the risks faced by workers in Sudan’s informal gold mining sector, an industry that has become increasingly important due to the country's economic struggles following the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. Sudan ranks among Africa’s top gold producers, with output reaching 70 tonnes last year, but much of this is smuggled out or traded through illicit networks rather than via formal channels that could contribute to public revenue.