The Ministry of Mining signed yesterday 50 agreements with number of local, Arab and foreign companies for exploring gold and other minerals in eight states at the Friendship Hall
Present in the signing ceremony were the President of the Republic, Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir, and the Presidential Adviser, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, and the Minister of Mining, Dr. Abdul-Bagi Al-Jailani, and the governors of the concerned states as well as representatives of the signing companies
Meanwhile, the General Director of the Public Geological Research Authority, Dr. Yousif Al-Samani Mohamed Ali, reviewed the mining potentialities and capabilities of Sudan that can contribute to enhancing the GDP if these reseasources are well utilized in terms of surveys, explorations, exploitations and assessment
He revealed that the production of Ariab Mining Company is 76 tons of gold so far and other Sudanese and Chinese companies had contributed directly to supporting the treasury and the local and community development in the country
He called for benefiting from the investment opportunities that are available in Sudan under the increasing international demand for precious, industrial and strategic minerals as well as the unprecedented rise in their prices. He highlightied on the challenges facing mining industry, represented in the wide prevalence of traditional mining practices, a matter which necessitates exerting efforts to regulate and control this practice
The Minister of Minerals, Dr. Abdul-Bagi Al-Jailani,, revealed that the production the conventional mining sector amounted to 70 tons of gold last year
The minister reviewed the acts and regulations organizing the mining activities in11 states in collaboration with the states , explaining that the Gold Refinery will begin production in the year 2012 with a capacity of 150 tons of gold and 30 tons of silver
The celebration was also addressed by the governor of Red Sea State, Dr. Mohamed Tahir Aila, on behalf of the states that produce gold, affirming the readiness to provide all assistance for the investment companies
Representatives of the companies which signed agreements with Sudan affirmed their real intention to explore the minerals of Sudan for the benefit of the people of Sudan