THE AFRICA TIMES | EGYPT — Egypt’s southern border with Sudan is emerging as a new frontline in the battle against illegal gold mining. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has fueled the expansion of informal mining networks and cross-border smuggling activities in the mineral-rich Red Sea region.
Known locally as “Dahaba,” informal gold prospectors have operated for years across the mountainous terrain between Egypt and Sudan. However, the ongoing war in Sudan has significantly altered the dynamics of the trade, transforming what was once primarily small-scale prospecting into a growing security and economic challenge for both nations.
Economic Challenges from Illegal Mining
“The Red Sea region is rich in gold-bearing mountains on both the Egyptian and Sudanese sides of the border,” stated Badawi Al-Tayeb, an economic analyst and
