A worker was killed and five others injured on Sunday in a landslide at the Sukari gold mine, Egypt’s largest, prompting the authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances of the accident and safety procedures.
A landslide at the Sukari gold mine in southeastern Egypt on Sunday killed one person and injured five others, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced.
The accident occurred “inside a tunnel, in an underground mining section” of this major site in Egypt’s mining sector.
The five injured workers were evacuated to a hospital in Marsa Alam, a tourist town on the Red Sea coast, according to the ministry.
Their condition is considered stable. The authorities did not provide further details on the identities of the victims or the extent of the damage caused by the collapse.
The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, has ordered an investigation to determine the exact causes of the landslide.
The investigation will also examine compliance with health and safety procedures applicable to underground mining operations and identify the necessary measures to prevent future accidents.
The incident affects one of the country’s most strategic mining assets. The Sukari mine is Egypt’s main gold mining site and plays a central role in the country’s strategy to develop its mineral resources and attract more foreign investment.
Its annual production is approximately 500,000 ounces of gold, according to the project data.
This production generates several hundred million dollars in annual revenue and contributes to the foreign exchange earnings of the Egyptian economy seeking to diversify its sources of external financing.
The government intends, in particular, to strengthen the mining sector, which is still relatively small compared to hydrocarbons, by improving the regulatory environment and making the country more attractive to international companies.
The authorities have not yet indicated whether the accident will lead to a partial or total shutdown of operations at Sukari and that the findings of the investigation should help establish potential liability and determine whether the site’s safety measures need to be reinforced.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/gik/APA