Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
In their quest for gold, these miners risk their lives and plunge into dark gorges in the barren deserts of Sudan.
There are around 60,000 impoverished miners, who bear adverse weather conditions and sandstorms looking for gold. Hit by drought and a severe food scarcity, miners are forced to look for such dangerous means to eke out a living.
Living in pathetic conditions with families in cramped tents that lack even basic amenities, these miners cannot even afford to wear helmets or any protective clothing.
Gold accounts for a major share of Sudan's exports. The country is expected to produce 50 tonnes of gold this year from just traditional methods, says a Reuters report.
According to reports, gold smuggling is a big business in South Sudan, which loses $200 million annually.
Even as business booms, these poor workers lead miserable lives…will the gold rush ever favour them and change their lives?
Take a look at the pathetic lives of gold miners in Sudan….
The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker takes shelter from a sandstorm in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker uses a detector in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker uses a gold crusher at a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers climb out from a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker displays gold in a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers lower themselves to a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker looks for gold inside a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker displays a gold rock inside a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers prepare food in a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers take shelter from a sandstorm in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
A gold mine worker displays gold in a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers at the back of a truck take cover from rain as they make their way to a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers hold gold nuggets as they weigh them in a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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The misery of gold miners in Sudan
Photographs: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Gold mine workers weigh their gold in a local mine in Al-Ibedia locality at River Nile State.
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