$7 Billion in War Losses: Geological Research Authority Recovers Technology and Resumes Exploration
Ahmed Haroun Altoum, Consultant Geologist and Director General of the General Authority for Geological Research, revealed that Sudan’s mineral sector suffered losses of approximately $7 billion due to the war. The Authority’s operations have shrunk from 18 states before the April 15, 2023, war to only six states today, directly impacting exploration activities and general revenue.
Haroun announced in a press statement that the Authority has begun acquiring modern technologies and advanced equipment to enhance its technical capabilities, following the relocation of its offices from Port Sudan back to the capital, Khartoum.
He explained that prior to the war, the Authority possessed “above-average” technologies in exploration and research, which were lost during the conflict. The new technical package includes geophysical instruments, remote sensing technologies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as well as specialized tools for geotechnical and geophysical studies.
Haroun emphasized that the war’s impact extended beyond reduced field activity, disrupting assessment and exploration programs, which negatively affected investment flows and revenues in the mineral sector.
