Sudan is all set to give its fledgling mining industry a boost by signing ten new deals. The 10 exploration deals for gold and other minerals hope to diversify the dependency on the oil producing south.
Mining Minister of Sudan, Abdel Bagi al-Jaylani said that the exploration deals were with Sudanese companies and 4 international companies from Saudi Arabia, India, Great Britain and China. They would explore options for copper, lead, iron, zinc and gold mining.
The deals were signed in the capital city of Khartoum with Toro East Africa Ltd, the Sudan branch of the Guernsey-based Toro Gold Ltd, and India’s Orbit for Multi Activities Co. Ltd., an offshoot of Rika Global Impex Ltd. besides others.
All the deals are effective in the states of Northern Kordofan, Al-Shamaliya, Nahr al-Nil and the Red Sea. These are all located in the north of Sudan. The country also expects to sign five more mining agreements in 2011.
The country is the 3rd largest producer of crude oil in sub Saharan Africa. However it is boosting its mining industry in an effort to reduce its dependence on the oil economy.
The Sudan shows huge potential for gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, iron and barium.