At least five people have been killed and several others wounded after drone strikes hit artisanal gold mining sites in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, highlighting the growing risks facing workers in areas affected by the country’s ongoing war.
The attacks took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in the El Leri area, where three mining locations were reportedly targeted. Local sources cited by Sudan Tribune said six people were injured in the strikes, which damaged gold-processing facilities and water mills used in mining operations.
The attacks are raising fresh concerns about the safety of thousands of people who depend on small-scale gold mining for their livelihoods, particularly in remote communities where employment opportunities are limited.
Three Mining Locations Targeted
According to local sources, the first reported strike hit water mills at the Al-Akhdar mine, where two missiles were said to have killed five people and injured two others.
A second attack targeted a water mill at the Al-Karkar mine, leaving another person injured. The strikes reportedly extended to a gold-processing facility west of the Al-Dambalo mine, where three more people were wounded.
The attacks affected facilities used to process gold extracted by artisanal miners. Such operations are an important source of income for residents across parts of South Kordofan, where many families rely on mining to support themselves.
The full extent of the damage to equipment and mining infrastructure was not immediately clear. Further details about the victims and the circumstances surrounding each strike were also limited.
RSF Suspected of Carrying Out the Attacks
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were identified as the likely perpetrators of the strikes, although responsibility had not been independently confirmed in the available reporting.
The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company, which operates under the Ministry of Minerals, has previously accused the RSF of attacking mining operations in South Kordofan. The latest incident marks the third reported attack targeting gold-mining activities in the state.
The allegations come as Sudan continues to endure a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. Fighting has spread across multiple regions, disrupting essential services, damaging infrastructure and forcing millions of people from their homes.
Drone warfare has become an increasingly significant feature of the conflict. Attacks on economic facilities and civilian areas have raised concerns about the risks faced by communities far from the main front lines.
In the case of El Leri, further investigation would be needed to establish who carried out the strikes and whether the mining facilities were deliberately selected as targets.
Gold Mining Remains a Lifeline for Thousands
Artisanal mining plays a major role in Sudan’s economy, particularly in areas where formal employment and other income sources are scarce.
South Kordofan has numerous small-scale mining operations, especially in the localities of Talodi, El Leri and Tadamon. These sites attract workers who extract and process gold using relatively basic equipment.
According to Sudan Tribune, artisanal mining employs more than two million people across Sudan. The sector has expanded since the war began, while small-scale miners collectively account for more than 80 per cent of the country’s extracted gold, according to the report.
For communities around El Leri, mining is more than a commercial activity. It provides income for workers, traders, transport operators and families whose livelihoods depend on the movement and processing of gold.
Damage to water mills and processing facilities can therefore affect more than the immediate victims. When operations are interrupted, workers may lose daily earnings, businesses can suffer losses and local markets may experience reduced economic activity.
The latest strikes could deepen these difficulties in communities already facing insecurity and the wider economic consequences of the war.
Growing Concerns Over Civilian Safety
The deaths and injuries reported in El Leri underline the dangers facing people working in remote economic areas during the conflict.
Artisanal mining sites can involve large numbers of workers, and attacks on processing facilities risk causing significant casualties when people are gathered around machinery and other equipment.
The incident also raises questions about how civilian livelihoods can be protected while fighting continues. Mining communities need security, access to medical assistance and the ability to earn a living without the constant threat of armed attacks.
Establishing responsibility for the strikes will be important for accountability. Independent verification of the reported casualties and damage could also help clarify the scale of the incident.
For now, at least five people are reported dead and six injured, while the extent of the disruption to mining activities remains uncertain.
The attack adds to the mounting pressure on Sudan’s communities as the war continues to threaten lives, livelihoods and vital economic activity. For workers in South Kordofan’s gold-mining areas, restoring safety will be essential to protecting both their lives and the income on which thousands of households depend.
