HUDO Centre Date: 12th February 2025 No.: H.K/PS/06/025 PRESS STATEMENT CONTINUOUS USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS IN GOLD MINING CAUSED DEATH OF ANIMALS IN TALODI, SUDAN In the recent months, the use of toxic chemical material has been on an increase within Talodi gold mines. The authorities did not bother to stop it yet they collect taxes (levies) from the gold mines. This endangered the human and animal lives and caused deaths of animals. Since the war between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Rapid support Force (RSF) begun, Talodi and Aleri localities in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains have been relatively peaceful under the control of SAF. The gold mine sector has been active and the main source of finances for the authorities. However, the authorities ignored the enforcement of safety measures especially the extensive use of toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury which are used without precautions. As a result, animals died within Altegola gold mine as indicated below: o On 13th January 2025, five (5) cows died because of drinking polluted water. o On 29th January 2025, fifteen (15) goats died of poison resulting from drinking water from mining pool (tank) in Altegola gold mine. In the two cases, a financial settlement (compensation) was made by the owners of the pools. But, the authorities (security, administrators and political leadership) did not intervene. An activist from Talodi informed HUDO Centre that: All the active gold mines in Talodi and Aleri localities are using toxic materials such as cyanide and that such operations are carried out in open pools that do not take into account the minimum safety standards. This exposed both people and animals’ lives to risks as well as environmental degradation. Altegola gold mine is in Talodi locality of South Kordofan State / Nuba Mountains. HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety of people, animals and the environment within the gold mining areas in South Kordofan State and calls for the following:  The local government of Talodi Locality must investigate the open pools in gold mines and the materials used in them and publish the results to the public.  The Governor of South Kordofan State/Nuba Mountains to immediately bans the use of toxic materials in all mining sites within the state.  The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company must control mining operations and take into account the safety of people, animals and the environment. End: For more information, please write to hudo2009@gmail.com