Residents in the northern Sudanese city of Atbara have accused a site belonging to General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) of being used to process gold mining waste, raising concerns over environmental pollution and public health risks.
Locals told Sudanese platform Sahih Sudan, citing reporting from Alrakoba News, that activities inside an artillery base involve the treatment of mining byproducts known as “gold tailings” (karta). They said the operations have led to environmental contamination and a rise in illnesses among nearby communities.
According to residents, the processing involves hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. They warned that resulting waste has affected soil and groundwater in surrounding areas, with fears the contamination could spread to water sources used for agriculture and daily consumption.
A source familiar with the matter said the commander of the artillery corps, Major General Mohamed al-Amin, oversees SAF-affiliated companies operating in the mining sector in River Nile state. Among them is a company identified as “Shushnai,” which is reportedly active in processing gold tailings.
The source alleged that the company is locally known for unregulated use of chemical substances in extraction processes, adding that military-linked firms operate across multiple sites in the state and have expanded their activities in recent months despite environmental concerns.
In a previous move, the governor of River Nile state authorised SAF-linked companies working in gold waste processing to operate around 5,000 transport trucks within the state. The decision drew criticism from residents, who argue it has further entrenched karta-related activities in or near populated areas.
Residents say the continuation of such operations within military compounds complicates environmental oversight and limits the ability of civilian authorities to monitor the use of hazardous materials.
