The Republic of Sudan expressed its commitment to responsible governance of the mining sector by joining the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).
“We are pleased to welcome Sudan as the IGF’s 66th member state. Sudan’s long history of mining will add depth to the dialogue among IGF members.,” IGF Director Greg Radford said in a statement.
“In joining the IGF, Sudan hopes to build a strong and sustainable mining sector for the country through exchanges of experience and benefits with IGF member states,” said Dr. Mohamed Elballa Osman, Sudan’s Ministry of Minerals’ Director of International Relations.
In recent year, cement and gold production became more significant to the country’s economy.
Gold production is a significant contributor to Sudan’s economy, accounting for nearly four per cent of the world’s gold mining outputs in 2016. Sudan also produced 107 tons of gold in 2017, leading the country to become the second largest African gold producer and ninth largest globally.
“Mining has a significant impact on Sudan’s economy,” added Dr. Osman. “Our goal is to develop and upgrade local laboratories, enhance our minerals database and develop geological researches to enhance economic opportunities. We recognize the importance of integrating mining into the local, regional and national fabrics of Sudan to foster the sector’s socio-economic benefits.”
Sudan is committed to environmental management and developing safe techniques within its gold processing, playing an active role in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sudan is also committed to learning from fellow countries to improve its investment climate to attract foreign mining investments and encourage national investments into the mining sector, enhance sustainable development projects in mining corporate social responsibility (CSR) and to look for training and capacity building opportunities.
“We look forward to supporting Sudan’s government in its environmental management and safe practices efforts, enhancing the mining sector’s contribution to their economy and sustainability efforts,” said Radford.
The IGF supports more than 60 nations committed to leveraging mining for sustainable development to ensure that negative impacts are limited and financial benefits are shared. It is devoted to optimizing the benefits of mining to achieve poverty reduction, inclusive growth, social development and environmental stewardship. The International Institute for Sustainable Development has served as Secretariat for the IGF since October 2015. Core funding is provided by the Government of Canada.
For more information, please contact Stacy Corneau, Media and Communications Officer, IISD, at scorneau@iisd.ca or 613 – 238 – 2296 ext 103.