Russian investors might get concession to new gold properties in Sudan

MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Gold miners with Russian investors could get a concession to new properties in Sudan, the director of planning at Sudan's Minerals Ministry, Ahmed Musa said.

"I hope that the company Kush can also receive additional concessions," Musa said at a meeting of the Russia-Sudan intergovernmental commission on Friday. Kush, a relatively large gold mining project that produces more than 3 tonnes of gold annually, is being implemented by Emiral Resources, which is controlled by Russian investors.

He also mentioned HTA Mining, which in 2018 received a license to build and in April 2020 launched a gold recovery plant with capacity to produce 300 kg of gold annually.

"Perhaps we will offer this company a property, a special property, a concession property where there are presumably some valuable metals and possibilities for agriculture, for water use and so on," Musa said.

HTA Mining is a fully Russian company that processes tailings, the director of international cooperation and climate change at Russia's Natural Resources Ministry, Ivan Kusch told reporters.

Sudan's government owns a 25% stake in the Kush project, local partners hold 7% and Russian investors own the remainder.