Committee: Imposing New Fees on Traditional Mining

Sudan Events – Rehab Abdullah

Deputy Rapporteur of the Conflict Resolution Committee for Traditional Miners in the Dalqo region, Mohammad Hamed, has revealed that an increase in stone bag fees has been imposed from 2,500 to 6,500 pounds.
Mohammad Hamed warned of the negative impact of the increase on production.
He said in his statement to (Sudan Events) that any increase in fees reduces the percentage of production because the wells producing 85% of gold are less than a gram and only 15% are higher.
He added that the harm lies in disrupting production for those with percentages of less than a gram in a bag and a caliber of less than 800. He added, “For example, a bag that is less than a gram costs between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds,” adding that those with a lower percentage will be forced to stop supplying the stone due to the losses, knowing that production goes through multiple stages of research, manpower, and work management tools, such as equipment, machinery, fuel, transportation, and food, until the production stage arrives, after which there are transportation costs, metals, grinding, porterage, washing, packing differences, and maintenance of the kneaders and fuel.
Mohammad Hamed stressed the necessity of coordination with the miners’ committees in procedures related to traditional mining for the public interest of the state and the miners in order to increase production and encourage producers.