Sudan gold exports through official channels earned $2.292 billion from January to September, the state mining company said, already well above the $1.536 billion the central bank recorded for all of 2025.
The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company announced the figure Tuesday after its executive office met in Khartoum to review results through the end of September. The company called it the best performance since it was founded. It said gold production reached 105% of its 2026 target and revenue collection hit 131% of its goal.
Director General Mohamed Taher Omer praised staff and mining partners and urged them to clear obstacles facing the sector. He also stressed mine safety, environmental protection and a shift to digital systems.
What is behind the jump in Sudan gold exports
The nine month number builds on a strong start. In July, the company said it had reached 111% of its production and revenue targets for the first half. In August, Minerals Minister Nour al-Daem Taha said official exports in the first six months had already matched the total for all of 2025. Separate data showed April and May shipments of 4.855 tonnes, more than the 4.195 tonnes exported in the whole first quarter.
Price helps too. Gold has traded above $4,000 an ounce this year, so each tonne is worth far more than it was in 2025. Last year, official exports of 14.7 tonnes were worth $1.536 billion, and revenue stayed near 2024 levels even though volumes dropped, because of higher prices.
Most of the gold still goes unrecorded
Official figures capture only part of what Sudan digs up. The company estimated national output at about 70 tonnes in 2025, yet the central bank recorded exports of just 14.7 tonnes. Estimates cited by Sudan Tribune suggest that between 48% and 60% of Sudan’s gold is smuggled through informal channels.
The company did not disclose tonnage, buyers or a regional breakdown for the nine months. It also did not say whether its targets covered the full year or only nine months, or how much of the gain came from higher volume rather than higher prices. The figures are the company’s own, and the statement said nothing about gold mined in areas held by the Rapid Support Forces.
A war economy built on gold
Sudan has been at war since April 2023, when the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, began fighting. The state mining company operates under the Ministry of Minerals of the army aligned government.
Gold has also drawn scrutiny from Washington. The U.S. Treasury says gold has helped finance the war, and it has sanctioned both commanders, as well as an Emirati gold buyer it says likely bought gold for the RSF. In June, it sanctioned additional networks. Most Sudanese gold has gone to the United Arab Emirates, though one July analysis by a transparency group said official exports have been shifting toward Egypt.
A bigger official number is not the same as a cleaner trade. Until the company publishes tonnage and buyers, the record is only half a picture.
