Khartoum: Minister of Minerals, Nour Al-Da'im Taha, on Tuesday chaired a meeting at the ministry's headquarters dedicated to reviewing the operational plan aimed at securing the mining sector and strengthening efforts to combat smuggling and illicit evasion. This comes within the framework of state policies to safeguard national resources and preserve economic assets.
According to Sudan News Agency, the meeting discussed the final stages of forming the joint force for the mining sector, with the participation of representatives from Military Intelligence, the General Intelligence Service, Mining Security Police, Anti-Smuggling Police, and Customs Police. The session assessed the level of readiness for the force to commence its duties in the near future.
Minister Taha stated that the mining sector faces significant challenges amid clear targeting of the country's resources-particularly minerals-indicating that these challenges form part of broader attempts to undermine national capacities.
He explained that the anticipated joint force will play a pivotal role in combating gold smuggling across borders, addressing negative practices in production areas, and reinforcing oversight and comprehensive security of mining markets.
The Minister underscored the necessity of firm enforcement of laws and the imposition of deterrent penalties against anyone attempting to tamper with national wealth, affirming that the state is proceeding with determination to protect its resources and harness them in support of the national economy and development trajectory.