Impacts of artisanal gold mining in River Nile State, Sudan

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the impacts of artisanal gold mining in Sudan, through descriptive analysis of survey data collected at individual levels during 2018. The survey took place in the site of traditional gold mining in River Nile State. The sample used in this study includes 153 participants working in mining sites; their ages ranged between 16 and 57 years. Some of the essential findings are that 97% of the respondents reported that they had been benefited from their work in helping their families and extended families. Some of them got married, bought a car, or even build a house and establishing their own business. Many incidences happened due to a lack of safety equipment. Respondents were agreed that stimulant pills and drugs are always available at the mining site. The use of mercury and cyanide in the process of purification was proved that it exposes people and land to the risk of health and environmental problems. We suggest that the government should make significant progress towards formalizing ASGM (Artisanal Gold Mining) sector and improving infrastructure, mineral processing technology, and equipment to support gold extraction and purification, as well as expertise to develop mineral-based manufacturing.