The UK and EU have introduced new measures targeting Sudan’s gold sector, including mining companies, gold imports and chemicals used in gold extraction.
The UK and European Union have introduced new measures targeting Sudan’s gold sector as part of efforts to restrict financial flows supporting the country’s war.
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The UK announced sanctions on 16 July against 11 individuals and entities it suspects are involved in financing, procurement and commercial networks supporting either the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) or the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The designations include three Sudanese state-owned mining companies: Omdurman Mining, Ariab Mining Company and Sudamin Company.
Two days earlier, the EU introduced sectoral restrictions prohibiting the purchase, import or transfer of gold originating in Sudan. The measures also prohibit the sale, supply, transfer or export to Sudan of mercury and cyanide, chemicals widely used in gold mining and gold exploitation. Related technical assistance, brokering and financial services are also restricted.
The EU said the measures were intended to “curb sources of financing” for the conflict by restricting access to Sudanese gold and chemicals used in its extraction.
The restrictions include exceptions for mercury and cyanide intended for humanitarian purposes, public-health emergencies and disaster response. The EU measures entered into force following the adoption of Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1705 and Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1724 on 13 July.
The EU’s gold restrictions cover gold originating in Sudan that is exported from the country into the EU or a third country after 15 July 2026, according to a subsequent EU statement. The measures also cover certain goods that could be used for gold mining or gold exploitation, regardless of their origin.
The measures come as gold remains an important source of revenue in Sudan’s war economy. The UK government said official gold exports were worth $1.5bn in 2024 and 2025, while the actual value of the sector was several times higher. It estimated that billions of dollars’ worth of gold was smuggled out of Sudan each year through illicit channels, helping finance weapons procurement, military operations and armed groups.
Among the companies targeted by the UK are Omdurman Mining, which it suspects of generating gold revenues supporting the SAF’s war effort, and Ariab Mining Company, which it suspects of involvement in illicit gold activities generating revenue for the SAF.
The UK also sanctioned Sudamin Company, describing it as a state-owned company linked to Sudan’s gold sector and alleging that it channels conflict-gold revenues to both the SAF and RSF. The UK cited previous links between Sudamin and the sanctioned company Al Junaid.
The UK sanctions also cover companies and individuals linked to procurement and financial activity supporting the RSF and SAF. These include UAE-based Sudanese companies Prodigious Real Estate Management Supervision Services and Natwest Logistics, Hong Kong-based Portex Trade Limited and Sudanese procurement operatives alleged to have supported the two military factions.
UK Foreign Secretary said Sudan’s population was paying the price for a conflict fuelled by “illicit flows of gold and finance”. The official said the sanctions were intended to target the country’s “war economy” and those profiting from the networks supporting it.
The EU has separately described gold as a key source of revenue sustaining the conflict. Its latest measures form part of a sanctions framework established in October 2023 to target activities undermining Sudan’s stability and political transition. The framework was most recently expanded with additional individual designations in January 2026.
The EU has also called on external actors to stop fuelling the conflict. Following the third International Conference on Sudan in Berlin in April, the EU said it would use diplomatic and restrictive measures, including additional sanctions targeting the war economy.
The latest measures coincide with heightened concern over fighting around El Obeid. The EU called on the RSF on 10 July to halt military operations in and around the city, while the UK has called for the UN arms embargo on Sudan to be extended to cover El Obeid.
The EU’s measures have also attracted alignment from Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Ukraine, which have said they will align their national policies with the Council decision.
