At least 60 killed in gold mine collapse in Sudan's West Kordofan, sources say

At least 60 people were ​killed in a gold mine ‌collapse on Sunday in a remote area north of the town ​of al-Nuhud in Sudan's ​West Kordofan, three local sources told ⁠Reuters on Wednesday.
Sudan is ​one of Africa's largest gold producers, ​but the vast majority of its gold is produced through dangerous artisan ​mining techniques and later smuggled ​out of the country.

The local sources said ‌the ⁠high death toll at the remote site was due to the lack of safety procedures ​or ​rescue equipment ⁠at the makeshift wells. West Kordofan is under ​the control of the ​paramilitary ⁠Rapid Support Forces, for whom gold mining is a key ⁠source ​of revenue.