South Sudan: South Sudan Delays Gold Production By a Year Due to Conflict

Jul 31, 2014 | Reuters
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JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan will delay the start of gold mining by a year from its planned date in 2016, a senior government official said on Thursday, due to fighting between rival political groups in the world's newest country.

Andu Ezbon Adde, undersecretary for mining in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, told Reuters he expected that "by 2017 our gold will enter into the world market".

South Sudan is attempting to diversify its economy away from oil by exploiting its gold deposits. It may also have reserves of other minerals such as copper, uranium and clay, which it hopes to exploit with the help of investors.