Sudan gold rush creates a windfall for UAE dealers

Sudanese expatriates in the UAE and other GCC countries have been heading for North Sudan where huge reserves of gold have reportedly been found. They may not have
found gold yet, but a windfall for UAE's consumer electronics markets has certainly been created.

Many African expats used the recent long summer vacations to do a little prospecting themselves with metal detectors bought from here.

They have been scanning the electronic markets for specialised detectors that can cost as high as Dh100,000 and can spot gold, diamonds, silver or other precious metals
underground.

“There is an increased demand from African customers, especially Sudanese, for metal detectors that can be used to spot gold and diamonds buried underground. The minimum price of a good metal detector is now about Dh40,000 and above. There has been huge demand for this detector because it can be used to find gold in the Nubian desert,” says Mehdi, manager of a trading company handling OKM German Metal Detectors.

Mehdi said the Gold Edition metal detectors that can find precious metals buried deep underground using high-resolution super sensors is in great demand. The machines
cost anything between Dh65,000 to Dh475,000. It can detect live images of buried gold objects in a video format. Some high-tech metal detectors with 3D software, GPS,
joystick, video eyewear and integrated headphones can spot gold as deep as 80 feet, manufacturers claim.

People who cannot afford to buy costly metal detectors are looking for second-hand or the cheaper versions which are available for as low as Dh1,000.

Says a Sudani expatriate, Mohammed, who works in Dubai: “Many of my friends have invested money in a metal detector and joined the gold rush. Some have got gold in small quantities. It is a very dangerous trip because the gold reserves are located in a desert with wild animals, snakes, and scorpions.

“Some people are going crazy and rush to the desert without sufficient food, water or other precautions. My brother and his team would have died in the desert because
they did not have enough water. They just managed to escape death,” he said.

Sudanese police recently reported the death of 10 people due to the collapse of a makeshift tent used by gold hunters.

“Lots of people from the UAE have joined the gold rush to Sudan. So far there is no government restriction on gold prospecting by individuals, but many multinational companies are also exploring gold in Sudan,” Mohammed added.

The 21st Century gold rush to Sudan resembles the 19th century gold rush in the US. The Nubian mountains in Northern Sudan reportedly have huge gold reserves.

“Some customers who have used the metal detectors efficiently have found gold from the Sudanese desert. However, not all customers are happy. They expect a miracle
and want gold to be spotted without much effort. The disappointed customers want to return the machine or exchange it with more efficient ones," said a dealer. "Now we
are not entertaining Sudanese customers because it is very difficult to handle them.”

Other metal detector dealers are also reporting increased sales. “The price of secondhand metal detectors is also shooting up. The price of a metal detector that can locate hidden gold in the desert used to be only Dh10,000. Now it has gone up to Dh40,000 and more. There has been good demand for these electronic treasurer hunters,” said another dealer.

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